The Sociopath Next Door

By: Martha Stout

Narrated by: Shelly Frasier

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

We are accustomed to think of sociopaths as violent criminals, but in The Sociopath Next Door, Harvard psychologist Martha Stout reveals that a shocking 4 percent of ordinary people, one in 25, has an often undetected mental disorder, the chief symptom of which is that that person possesses no conscience. He or she has no ability whatsoever to feel shame, guilt, or remorse. One in 25 everyday Americans, therefore, is secretly a sociopath. They could be your colleague, your neighbor, even family. And they can do literally anything at all and feel absolutely no guilt.

How do we recognize the remorseless? One of their chief characteristics is a kind of glow or charisma that makes sociopaths more charming or interesting than the other people around them. They're more spontaneous, more intense, more complex, or even sexier than everyone else, making them tricky to identify and leaving us easily seduced. Fundamentally, sociopaths are different because they cannot love. Sociopaths learn early on to show sham emotion, but underneath they are indifferent to others' suffering. They live to dominate and thrill to win.

The fact is, we all almost certainly know at least one or more sociopaths already. Part of the urgency in reading The Sociopath Next Door is the moment when we suddenly recognize that someone we know, someone we worked for, or were involved with, or voted for, is a sociopath. But what do we do with that knowledge? To arm us against the sociopath, Dr. Stout teaches us to question authority, suspect flattery, and beware the pity play. Above all, she writes, when a sociopath is beckoning, do not join the game.

It is the ruthless versus the rest of us, and The Sociopath Next Door will show you how to recognize and defeat the devil you know.

©2005 Martha Stout (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stout is a good writer and her exploration of sociopaths can be arresting." (Publishers Weekly)
"A remarkable philosophical examination of the phenomenon of sociopathy and its everyday manifestations....Stout's portraits make a striking impact and readers with unpleasant neighbors or colleagues may find themselves paying close attention to her sociopathic-behavior checklist and suggested coping strategies. Deeply thought-provoking and unexpectedly lyrical." (Kirkus)

Informative

Informative. Pretty interesting most of the time. The narrator had a rather monotonous voice—not too bad, but definitely could have been better.

Life changing

This book has given me more freedom than I have known to be possible. Beautifully written and narrated.

the Sociopath next door

This was a very helpful book. I now understand a few people in my life and how better to deal with them.

Incredible

Beautifully written and utterly fascinating. Stout draws on the psychological, biological, and philosophical in this powerful book.

Interesting Content

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It's certainly interesting how many sociopaths are out in the world. However, this book isn't to scare folks, but clue them in to peculiar behaviors. It can help put your mind at ease knowing that you might not be the crazy one. The main theme is that a conscious is a critical component to whether or not a person is a sociopath. They can't seem to help themselves but be tyrannical to society. They don't understand (or empathize) with people and don't understand why people feel emotional pain.

Eye opening

Would you listen to The Sociopath Next Door again? Why?

yes.

What did you like best about this story?

the makeup of a sociopath

Which scene was your favorite?

introduction

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

chapter 8 would be my opening. Do you know this person?

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I may listen to other books on this subject.

helpful

Would you listen to The Sociopath Next Door again? Why?

The information was new the first time but on the next listen I'll reflect on what I learned and see if I gain new insights.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sociopath Next Door?

The author warned against being consciously vulnerable to the sociopath. Don't even engage in "banter". She's right!

The Sociopath Next Door

It was easy to understand but I was looking for something else I did not receive from this book. Loved the reader, though.

An Articulation of Toxic People

My therapist recommended I listen to this book after she was certain a toxic coworker is a sociopath. I initially doubted it as she wasn't like sociopaths I see on TV like Trump our Kelly Anne. However, the more subtle stories perfectly described the bizarre behavior directed at me. And the description of the shark eyes was dead on.

It was helpful in giving advice how to deal with someone and I'm better off at work having turned this person in rather than try to work with them. There is no winning over or changing a sociopath, you can only cut them out. The sooner we recognize that the better we are.

wow. amazing and surprisingly uplifting.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the state of humanity, or struggling to see the silver lining after a terrible experience with a sociopath