In a new book, The Sociopath Next Door, Harvard psychologist Martha Stout reveals that a goodly number of the people we see on the street, in restaurants, at family reunions even, are sociopaths. That's right—sociopaths. Traditional estimates of sociopathy among the general population have averaged about one percent, but Stout claims that these are outdated, partly because scientists previously assumed only men were capable of sociopathy. Instead, she estimates that around four percent of the people you encounter (i.e., 1 in every 25 people) are sociopaths, meaning they are incapable of compassion or empathy and are entirely lacking in conscience. They are not capable of experiencing authentic attachments with others. Basically, they are creepy zombie people who live only for themselves. Now keep in mind, the behavior of sociopaths is not necessarily violent, just deceitful and manipulative, so don't expect people to clue you in to their diagnosis with anything as obvious as a murder spree. Mostly, sociopaths just enjoy controlling others and making them jump. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Let's apply the data:

When you're in a theater, at least 4 and as many as 8 people are sociopaths.

When dining in a capacious restaurant, there may be as many as 10-12 people who are sociopaths.

At the ballpark, at least 1,600 of the people in attendance are sociopaths.

Three people in my high school band were sociopaths.

Of the total number of registered Kansas voters, 67,774 are sociopaths (which explains a lot).

At a large wedding, 20 people will be sociopaths.

If you've ever known a La Belle Dame sans Merci or a Casanova, he or she may have been a sociopath.

Eight people at my previous place of employment were sociopaths. I can tell you exactly who they were, too.

At least one person in every orchestra is a sociopath.

According to the formula, there are 21 sociopaths in Congress, but I'm going to guess that the real number is much, much higher.

Of the extras used in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 800 were sociopaths.

Statistically speaking, you are probably a sociopath. I will no longer be lending any of you money.

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