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

© Catten Ely

How many people do you know?

How many of them lack a sense of moral responsibility, guilt, or a conscience? Would you know?

Sociopaths, antisocial personalities, dissocial personalities, psychopaths... all describe the same personality disorder, which is exhibited by about 4% of the population. It doesn't sound like much, until you realize that one in 25 people fit the category.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), antisocial personality disorder is described as a "pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:
► Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
► Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
► Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
► Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
► Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
► Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
► Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another"*

While this disorder describes many of today's terrorists, criminals, dirty corporate execs, and sleazy politicians, it also very well may describe your neighbor, coworker, or cousin.

The Sociopath Next Door offers up a realistic look at how these people fake their way through life, considering the rest of us "afflicted" with a conscience.

Using case studies, Stout, a psychotherapist and Harvard Medical School instructor, reveals the behaviors sociopaths share-the personality markers that the rest of us can use to identify the sociopaths among us.

Not every spontaneous, charming, fun person you meet will be an antisocial personality, but they might be. Knowing what they truly are is the first step to not becoming one's victim.

Stout suggests that sociopathy is likely due to both nature and nurture, though there is no wholly agreed upon cause. Genetics may factor in, as well as childhood illnesses, influence from others during personality formation, and/or irregular development of the brain.

This book is easy to read and offers great insight into what makes sociopaths tick. If you discover a sociopath in your midst, the book offers "Thirteen Rules for Dealing with Sociopaths in Everyday Life" (the best tactic is to avoid them).

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