The Sociopath Next Door – Martha Stout, PhD
Antisocial Personality: the Ultimate Personality Disorder
Jun 9, 2009
Martha Stout's descriptive study of sociopatholgy ought to be required reading for the general public from the point of view of mental and physical survival if not for a myriad of other reasons. Her estimation of 4% means 1 out of every 25 people has this disorder in some form. She analyzes whether the condition is genetic, a form of birth defect, a product of faulty nurturing, or a combination of several factors.
The Sociopath Next Door, Well Written and Documented
Verbal illustrations and flowing sequences make the book easily readable. Examples are composites of people with this disorder along with those they encounter and destroy. Stout differentiates for the reader between the criminal, the alcoholic, and others on society’s periphery, versus the true sociopath.
Narcissism is a counterpoint to sociopathy,she claims, in that the narcissist can emote. The sociopath has chameleon abilities which enable him or her to hide within the conforms of society. This person is often especially charming. This personality can then freely wreak havoc on the unsuspecting or naïve 96% of the rest of the population. Statistics segue easily and naturally throughout the book, belying the impact of the information within.
The Characteristics of a Sociopath
- The traits of this disorder include those that mark a distinct failure to conform to social norms.
- Deceitfulness
- Impulsivity
- Lack of Remorse
- Recklessness
- Faithlessness
- Aggressive
- Never honoring financial obligations
Protecting Oneself From the Psychopath
Stout gives rules some of which seem repetitive though are important, nonetheless.
- Avoid consistent liars.
- Avoid those who don’t keep promises.
- Acknowledge some people have no conscience and act accordingly.
- Trust your instincts.
- Refine your concept of respect (In this vein, Martha Stout advises questioning authority if it doesn’t seem right).
- Suspect flattery if it becomes manipulative.
- Avoid engaging in competitive banter with a known or suspected sociopath.
- Don’t fall to the same level of communication, interaction, or activity.
- Do not easily pity or try to redeem the unredeemable.
- Stand firm in ones own psyche without defending it.
Criticism of the Book
The criticism noted on Amazon is it tends to sensationalize or create paranoia in a normal person to attract the reader’s attention. But anyone ever involved with a sociopath whether through work, socializing, marriage or via parents, or even day-to-day activity, realizes this isn’t paranoia but validation of an otherwise frightening, lonely, or confusing experience. It is as Martha Stout puts it, "The Ruthless versus the rest of us.” Sadly, there is no sensationalism in this study but only an important and horrifying truth.
Availability
The book can found online or in hardcover or soft cover or audio books.
Stout, Martha The Sociopath Next Door
Hardcover 241 pages
Publisher: Broadway 2005
Language: English
ASIN: B000N118H8
Papaperback: 256 pages
Pupublisher: Broadway 2006
ISIISBN-10: 0767915828
ISISBN-13: 978076791523
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