Psychopath

Psychopaths are villains who exhibit a constellation of antisocial personality disorder traits which include antisocial, aggression, reckless, and borderline behaviour, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships. They also do not learn from failure and take it out on others.

Psychopaths are often confused with sociopaths as both sociopaths and psychopaths feel no guilt over their actions, however, they are not synonomous. A sociopath is simply an individual who has antisocial personality disorder that mostly caused by their environment. Most sociopaths are misanthropic and see other people as tools by which to achieve their objectives or simply see them as playthings to be manipulated and molded as they see fit. Also, Sociopaths do not necessarily seek pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering upon others, but they do not feel remorse either because for them, the ends justify the crude, impersonal means. However, psychopathy is an umbrella term. There are different types of psychopaths - antisocial psychopaths, narcissistic psychopaths, and borderline psychopaths. Psychopaths have traits and characteristics that are common to the Cluster B personality disorders (Antisocial personality, borderline personality, histrionic personality and narcissistic personality).

Sociopathic traits are includes (some are similar but in lesser extent than psychopaths):

1. Impulsive
2. Is emotionally unstable and will fly into a violent rage if things start to go wrong
3. Highly Intelligent
4. Ruthless
5. Sadistic
6. Narcisstic
7. Hypocritical
8. Apathetic
9. Lacking in empathy/compassion
10. Paranoid
11. Ability to manipulate others

While Psychopathic traits on the other hand includes:

1. Extreme egocentricity
2. Cold
3. Calculating
4. Lack any form of both empathy and sympathy towards others
5. Highly charismatic
6. Capable liars, to the point of almost never being called out
7. Inability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships
8. Complete disregard for the rights of others
9. High intelligence
10. Normally impulsive
11. Highly manipulative
12. Paranoid

To be classed as a psychopath, one must have at least one Cluster B personality disorder. Either borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder. A psychopath can have all three disorders, or he/she may have two.

Psychopaths are not always killers or violent criminals, in fact many are capable businessmen and women but have a lack of remorse and do not socialize well with others,: Sociopaths (antisocials) also have a lack of remorse but their disdainful attitudes are largely an acquired trait rather than a hereditary trait.(especially in fiction).

Neither Psychopathy nor Sociopathy are accepted by modern psychiatrists yet the terms are still widely used in fiction and in the public eye. It is possible to qualify as both a psycho and sociopath, if for example, you are afflicted with antisocial personality disorder (antisocial psychopathy). Villains that qualify for both must exhibit the excessive narcissism and victim seeking pleasure of a sociopath with the cold-heartedness and cunning of a psychopath. 

It should also be noted that, even though it is not uncommon for a psychopathic character to be a Pure Evil, being a psychopath is not in and itself a guarantee to be Pure Evil. Also, bear in mind that psychopathy/sociopathy is not a mental illness and is a personality disorder. Psychopaths are completely aware of reality while Mentally Ill villains are not.

Anthropomorphic characters are also acceptable when they need all the requirements (e.g. Scar, Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear, Hopper, Koba, Dag, Napoleon, Steele, Dawn Bellwether, Doug Ramses, Sir Miles Axlerod, Professor Zündapp, Nigel, Nyra, White Wolf, and Slagar the Cruel)