Reviews

The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus the Rest of Us by Martha Stout

alisarae's review against another edition

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LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I got it from the library, but the information in this book is incredibly valuable. People probably pay a couple hundred dollars for a psychology course at a college and don't learn as much as this 230 page book teaches, not to mention the economic, psychological, and emotional costs saved by protecting yourself from sociopaths in your life.

This book is not technical, I mean it's not like reading a scientific journal. It's hands-on and practical, though talking about sociopaths lacking a conscious invariably brings up philosophical and theological questions (that the author does a good job of contextualizing and discussing).

I'm planning to re-read this again and take notes this time. There's a lot of interesting material to ponder and digest, besides the more pratical tips in the book.

tiernanhunter's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

2.75

yevden's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

2.75

jamesspencer's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

lalawoman416's review against another edition

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3.0

Interesting read. Feels a bit condescending. And not sure the science has held up.

sncarter's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.5

quana's review against another edition

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4.0

When people think of sociopaths, they often imagine notorious criminals like Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer. However, most sociopaths are not murderers. In fact, 1 in 25 people are sociopaths, and one of them could even be your next-door neighbor.

"The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout delves into the unsettling prevalence of sociopathy in everyday life, revealing that 1 in 25 people, or about 4% of the population, are sociopaths. These individuals often blend seamlessly into society, exhibiting a lack of conscience and empathy.

Stout provides various examples of sociopaths, including a case of a woman who pretended to be a psychologist. This individual used her charm and manipulative skills to deceive those around her, highlighting how sociopaths can exploit professional settings for personal gain without being detected.

The book emphasizes that most sociopaths are not violent criminals but can cause significant harm through deceit, manipulation, and emotional abuse. Stout’s work is crucial for anyone wanting to understand human behavior better, especially those in roles that require interpersonal interactions, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement.

Overall, "The Sociopath Next Door" is an enlightening read that offers practical advice on recognizing and protecting oneself from sociopaths. The combination of statistical insights, like the 4% prevalence rate, and real-life examples, such as the fake psychologist, makes it a compelling resource for understanding the hidden dangers of sociopathy in everyday life.

☆☆☆☆ (4 stars)

The DSM-5 criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), often linked with sociopathy, are:

1. Disregard for the rights of others: At least three of the following since age 15:
   - Repeatedly breaking the law.
   - Deceitfulness (lying, using aliases, conning).
   - Impulsivity.
   - Irritability and aggressiveness.
   - Reckless disregard for safety.
   - Consistent irresponsibility.
   - Lack of remorse.

2. Age 18 or older.

3. Conduct disorder before age 15.

4. Antisocial behavior not during schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

These criteria focus on long-term patterns of behavior that show manipulation, disregard for others, and irresponsibility.

paroof's review against another edition

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3.0

Not exactly a peer-reviewed, scientific source, but interesting none-the-less... and very readable.

warwriter1939's review against another edition

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3.0

Scary. A sociopath is a person without conscience. very, very scary.

jojopose's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense slow-paced

3.0