sumdumfu, on 14 July 2012 - 08:35 PM, said:
i don't know about that dude. if you're an expert and in fact know for sure then i defer to your expertise, but from what i've learned, sociopathy is something people are born with and is exhibited very early in development. self esteem is something that comes and goes, but i've heard numerous times from experts that 'you can't grow a conscience'. some people are just born without one. not all disorders stem from self-esteem issues; human psychology is not that simple.
You're right that it's not simple, low self esteem can be part of your personality if you're born with a genetic predisposition toward sociopathy or it can be inflicted by a neglectful or abusive family situation. Either way though I don't think I'd describe it as something that comes and goes. Everyone is born without a conscience too, as very young children we are all totally self-centered. In short though I'd say you are both 'right'. Nobody has the simple correct answer when it comes to these things.
Let's not get too serious here anyway, I think we can agree that cheating at games involving others makes you a giant pain in the rear regardless of your mental state.