The Sociopath Next Door
by Martha Stout
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Book Reviews of The Sociopath Next Door
Book Review: Romance Coach Says Stout's Book a "Must Read"
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been a psychotherapist for 30 years and now a Romance Coach for 5, and the hardest personality styles for me to understand (and then explain to my clients) are character disorders. We all have a tendency to assume that others are like us, and since even author Martha Stout would agree that 96% of people are NOT sociopaths, then our assumption is understandable. Most of us (that 96%) have a sense of right and wrong and a conscience that guide our behavior. 4% of us do not, and because of that, the rest of us are pretty easy prey.
Sociopaths are the very people singles do NOT want to get mixed up with. Some of them are easy to identify and avoid--they may be sociopaths, but they are not very skilled and end up getting found out, maybe even being put in jail. But bright, talented sociopaths can be very successful, can even get elected to some of the most powerful positions in the world. And a skilled sociopath can wreak havoc on a vulnerable singles. Just look at the press scammers are getting with their tricks do get money from people they meet on dating sites.
Martha Stout's book "The Sociopath Next Door" is a fantastic layman's guide to the sociopathic personality, and better yet, how to recognize one. Even with all my years in the business, I learned from this book. And you can too. We all ought to have this knowledge in our repertoire, but especially if you are single and looking for a life partner. Put this book on your "Must read" list, and then read it.
From Your Romance Coach, Kathryn Lord
Book Review: Montel Williams fans:
Summary: 1 Stars
Havent read the book- and I wont!
I enjoy a considerable amount of psychobabble.. BUT.
I generally dont like these kinds of sensational attitudes media generate that play upon your emotions. Yeah, there are sociopathic *behaviors* in many people you mightve known or come across, but alot of its coming from instinctual survival mechanisms of what it takes to get ahead. I wouldnt qualify your neighbors for the role of Sociopath until theyve actually gone through sessions of therapy and found that theres no turning back for them, that they are "Born Killers." You dont really know these people. But thats what creeps YOU out and thats why you'll probably read this book.
If you've watched any reality shows lately you'll see that people they do have problems, also they might either crumble or step up their game under pressure or competition. Those are the kinds of things people are up against in most or any type of systems at all. Getting emotionally caught up in the negativity these kinds of things can bring is just giving it too much power and credit in the first place. I cant turn tv on in the daytime without seeing these kinds of sick things on montel, victims and predators im starting to believe the people that watch that stuff are just as "sick" as the rest. but guess what? even still- youre all normal! normal nosey anxiety ridden people whose normally healthy functioning systems got the best of them. dont get so disturbed! after all we're all animals at the core.. dont try to tell me you dont have instincts and hormones.
Book Review: 1 in 25 ordinary Americans secretly has no conscience and can do anything at all without feeling guilty.
Summary: 4 Stars
"Who is the devil YOU know?" asks author Martha Stout on the cover of her latest release, The Sociopath Next Door. Stout makes the case the 1 in 25 Americans are sociopathic, a rate that far exceeds that of anorexia, colon cancer, or schizophrenia. Given that antisocial personalities are so prevalent, why isn't there more dialog about them in the popular culture? Stout's book aims to change that, by describing the origins and facets of conscience, exploring antisocial personalities, and providing coping strategies for those of us who are affected by a sociopath in our lives.
As a psychologist, Martha Stout has seen lives destroyed by sociopaths next door (a mother, ex-boyfriend, sibling, father, friend, co-worker). Her composite case histories highlight the general types of sociopaths, and the means to which they use their lack of conscience to attain personal satisfaction and even economic and career success. She teaches the reader how to identify a sociopath: excessive charm, anger when unable to manipulate, habitual lying, lack of remorse, continuous need for affirmation from others, and an excessively high opinion of oneself.
Statistics tell us that we're likely going to run into a sociopath or two in the course of our lives, so I suppose that means The Sociopath Next Door is required reading for all of us. Pick this one up so you are well-equipped to deal with these personality types that aim to obliterate you for their own needs. Includes an index and extensive bibliographic notes.
Book Review: Prepare to be Manipulated
Summary: 1 Stars
The premise of this book is laughable. Stout tells you outright the sensitizing event that began her witchunt for the embodied evil. When faced with a person who did not fit into her conception of what a human being should be, rather than expanding her worldview to fit the evidence before her, she concluded that 1 in 25 of us is actually subhuman, God's concession to the Devil, that should be marked out as dangerous subverters of decent society.
According to Stout, there is no room for differences in beliefs, goals, strategies, or personal history among humans. You're either a decent conscience-bearing person or you're a monster, either with us or against us. If you do not feel shame when she thinks you should, you're a monster. If you ever act selfishly, you're a monster. And especially if you want people to feel sorry for you, are a definitely a monster.
The book is littered with fictional examples of the different sociopathic characteristics. The stories are written not to convey information, but rather to sway the reader emotionally. They are designed to elicit feelings of sympathy for the victims and fear and loathing of the evildoer. The use of emotion is the author's argument for her point of view. No hard scientific evidence needed here; if you dislike these characters then this book must be accurate.
If you think trying to understand people who are different from you is a waste of time, and instead desire a reason to fear dehumanize them, this book is for you.
Book Review: A must read for every human being
Summary: 5 Stars
As the title says, this is a must read book for everyone (that is, everyone who is not a psychopath). The only thing I don't like about it is the use the word "sociopath" instead of "psychopath". But it is a very minor flaw in a great book.
Traditionally, books on psychopathy were mostly about the inmate population, serial killers and so on. That creates a dangerous sense of complacency. After all, the psychopaths are easily recognizable brutal killers and they have all been locked up in high-security prisons, right? Unfortunately, it is not so.
In this book, Dr. Stout has done a great service for humanity in describing, persuasively and chillingly, the psychopaths that are among us. They can be anyone, from a successful and ruthless executive to the neighbor next door. Statistics shows that one in 25 people are psychopaths and they cannot be easily recognized even by experts.
What makes the psychopaths dangerous is that they have no conscience whatsoever. No remorse, no empathy, no emotion to constrain any of their acts even if the act causes great harm to their closest family members. And because of the same characteristics, they are often very successful in our society.
So pick up the book and read it now because chances are good that you will encounter a psychopath in your life. And what you don't know about them CAN hurt you. Also read "Political Ponerology" by Andrew Lobaczewski.