As was recently noted in the Fall, 2018 special edition of Time-Life Magazine, Inside the Criminal Mind, the prevailing research shows that "psychopaths are controlled by their genes and sociopaths by their life circumstances" (pg. 17).  However, clinical qualitative research over the course of 11+ yrs working with approximately 4000 sexual predators (and thousands more criminals of all stripes), revealed that is not an entirely accurate assessment, as it misses the primary factors for the most sophisticated of kinds: self-disciplined (as opposed to impulsive), methodical (as opposed to whimsical), emotionally controlled (as opposed to emotionally reactive), capable of experiencing emotion (just not from your average perspective), patient (as opposed to impatient), and can plan strategically (as opposed to driven by impulse and fancy). The Degree of Psychopathy has to do with the extent to which someone willfully overrides his conscience. 

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The findings from modern research are clear. The Psychopath's brain is different from a normal person's brain, in terms of structure and function. Once the changes happen, they are irreversible and permanent. There have crossed the point of no return. But, instead of it being a unique genetic trait (since we all have the trait by degree), it is better understood as a progressive condition, corresponding to the degree to which conscience is overridden. The resulting changes produce an inner state now called psychopathy, but used to be known as a "reprobate mind".