First,

Why is it important to be able to spot a Sociopath? The basic reason is that they can do enormous damage to you. They can ruin your life.

What is the overiding characteristic of a sociopath? They have absolutely no conscience. They can spout what is right and wrong, but none of this makes a difference to them. Sociopaths manifest themselves in different ways, and each has his own hobby. Some become serial killers. Some cheat the elderly out of their life savings. Some go from woman to woman, enjoying their sex and taking all their money before moving on. What ever their hobby, they have no guilt or remorse for what they do.

Since they are so dangerous, what are the behaviors that can identify them? First of all, they can be very charming. Ted Bundy, serial killer is a good example of this trait. He was a bright, handsome, and charming young man. With their charm they will either flatter you to get close to you or portray some supposed weakness they have to get your sympathy. So when someone strokes you with compliments more than is usual, beware. When someone asks for your help and is still a stranger to you, beware.

They make grandiose claims of success. They are very wealthy. Unfortunately, their wealth is in another state and they need your financial aid to get access to it. Or, they used to be wealthy, but they lost it all due to a vindictive wife. They have these and other stories to tell you, all fabricated, all with the intention of getting over on you.

So, be as innocent as lambs, but as wise as serpents, as Jesus said. Whenever someone comes on too quickly and then wants something of you, be very careful.

I knew these concepts for many years, and I have watched several sociopaths in action, but I just found a web site that cooborates what I am saying, so go to:
http://www.geocities.com/lycium7
for further detail.

I post this, because I think this is critical information to know.

Perhaps the WTS could be considered as a spiritually sociopathic organization.

Interesting topic. Also interesting is that when you are involved with a sociopath, you tend to attempt to fit their behavior into some sort of "normal" mold, and when it doesn't work out, you tend to blame yourself....or at least I did....until I finally realized beyond the shadow of a doubt that my sister was a sociopath who got some of her greatest pleasure by manipulating family members like puppets.

Larc,

A long, long time ago, too far back to remember the details, I do recall reading that there is some sort of psychological evaluation test that the suspected sociopath is given.

It involved the use of certain questions, numbers and phrases that many such types found it difficult or impossible to articulate in sequence. It seems that some sort of physical aberration is present in their thinking processes that precludes from birth the development of the conscience.

I would be very interested to hear more about this if you have crossed these paths on your studies.

Best regards - HS

Hillery,

I am not sure of the particular measurement you are referring to. There are diagnostic signs or responses on the Rorschach Inkblot Test that are indicative of sociopathy. Also, there is a particular scale on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) called the Psychopathic Deviate Scale that is used to diagnose the Sociopath, Psychopath, or AntiSocial Personality Disorder.

(((plm))) i hope you are doing much better now.

larc, interesting thread.. especially coming from the man who used to stalk me just jokes .

(¯`·.¸the agents of oblivion descend upon the sane¸.·´¯)

There is a great book called, "Poisoned Blood: A True Story Of Murder, Passion, And An Astonishing Hoax", by Philip Ginsburg. This is an interesting story. My uncle actually worked with this woman years ago at a place which is referenced in the book.

This woman secretly poisoned her husband in Ohio to collect the insurance money. After he died she started on her daughter, but it did not work. She then ran off to N.H. and married a man there. She then got a job where my uncle worked. (Its been years and I forgot the exact details.) She, I think tries to poison her new husband? What ever, but she runs off. She quickly looses weight, changes her hair style and coloring. She then phones her husband and says she is her sister. She then moves back in with hubby as a make believe sister and got a job at her old company. People, including hubby were fooled for weeks. Soon several co-workers and the boss become suspicious and the rest is history.

hhhmmm...interesting topic...kinda scary for me think abou tit...i am starting to wonder if my husband is a sociopath......

KD, are you refering to Marie Hilley? If so, here is her story.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial7/hilley/13.htm There are lots of other stories on this site. I am into true stories, so I have lots of these sites saved in my favorites.

Lilacs

I believe that my father was a sociopath. He fits all the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-IV

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The DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder include:

A. A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since the age of 15 years as indicated by at least three of:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. reckless disregard for the safety of self or others;
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations;
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalising having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

B. The individual is at least 18 years of age.

C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 years.

D. The occurrence of antisocial behaviour is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.
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Until the day he died he abused every person who was in his life.

Compounding this from my father is the problem of my mother

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The DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are:

A. A pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy, as indicated by at least five of:

1. a grandiose sense of self-importance
2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3. believes that he or she is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4. requires excessive admiration
5. has a sense of entitlement, ie unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. is interpersonally exploitative, ie takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7. lacks empathy and is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes
---------------------------

And she fits all of it. It's a wonder all 5 of us kids survived our childhoods at all.

My father was never a JW and my parents had separated before my mother became involved. I think that the JWs certainly fed into her intense need to be better than others.

As a child we all easily identified our father as a sick man. But our mother portrayed herself as the selfless one, a loving mother who sacrificed so much for her children. In reality she walked out on us, gave us away and used us whenever it was convenient for her. She blamed us for the abuse in the home and blamed me especially for problems raising her sons.

It took me years to realize that my mother was also a very sick person. I spent a lot of years taking care of her needs. I spent a lot of years burying my anger at her so that I could take care of her. It was a huge relief when I realized finally how sick she was )and still is) and to be able to walk away.

It wasn't easy. In the beginning all I could do is speak my truth and not buy into her version of family history. Eventually the step away from her was larger and now it has been 3 years since I spoke to her.

My life is better this way - certainly saner.

Rejoice in the healing and not in the pain.
Rejoice in the challenge overcome and not in the past hurts.
Rejoice in the present - full of love and joy.
Rejoice in the future for it is filled with new horizons yet to be explored. - Lee Marsh 2002