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The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind Is Designed to Kill
As acclaimed psychological researcher and author David Buss writes, "People are mesmerized by murder. It commands our attention like no other human phenomenon, and those touched by its ugly tendrils never forget." Though we may like to believe that murderers are pathological misfits and hardened criminals, the vast majority of murders are committed by people who, until the...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
April 25th 2006
by Penguin Books
(first published January 1st 2005)
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Are humans pre-programmed to kill? Is there a potential murderer inside each of us? Evolutionary psychologist, David Buss argues that we are all killers deep inside, and he presents chilling evidence on the high percentages of people who have either fantasized about murder or would be willing to kill someone if they knew they could get away with it. Murder is presented as just another viable reproductive strategy, one that could be used to remove rivals and coerce mating partners to be faithful....more
Reviewers with scientific training have no kind words for The Murderer Next Door. The author's investiture in the controversial field of evolutionary psychology__which posits that human behavior is the product of evolution__leads him to assert that homicidal fantasies are more common than the reader might believe, and smacks of self promotion. While Buss's argument is internally consistent, his premise runs counter to established anthropological and biological studies. Readers unversed in those
...more
This book is thoroughly unimpressive. I've noticed that when scholars discuss their research to a broad audience they like to brag more than analyze. Buss is guilty of this tendency.
Otherwise, he takes lots of complex things and simplifies them, which is never good when you're talking about human behavior.
Worst of all, he repeatedly compares Indigenous peoples to Chimpanzees.
All in all, he's enamored of his own theories and with modernity, but I say it's impossible to adequately discuss the p...more
Otherwise, he takes lots of complex things and simplifies them, which is never good when you're talking about human behavior.
Worst of all, he repeatedly compares Indigenous peoples to Chimpanzees.
All in all, he's enamored of his own theories and with modernity, but I say it's impossible to adequately discuss the p...more
The psychology of murder ... why do ya think Criminal Minds is such a runaway hit TV show? These are two topics that people are mesmerized by. I am no exception. This book was a great listen. In spots it teeters toward being a smidge biased as far as gender, but then the author steers back into the center lane. I had a similar comment on another recent review ... so it might just be me (Okay, you people who know me quit laughing and get up off the floor). Anyway, the book is very informative and...more
Fascinating psychological treatise on what makes us humans inclined to kill. It helps explain why domestic violence is so much more common than the random, stranger killings we most fear. And it very clearly distinguishes between understanding human nature and using that as an excuse to evade criminal responsibility and punishment. This is academic, not narrative, in its approach. But accessible and engaging, especially if you're curious about the darkest impulses.
This book made me appreciate the fact that I am a lesbian. Buss put a lot of emphasis on the evolutionary track of males throughout history and gave a great deal of impressive theories as to why more murders are male rather than female. The only part in the book that really made me uneasy was the section on parents and stepparents killing their children/stepchildren. There's something absolutely heinous about such an act. Interesting and informational read!
Feb 03, 2009
Emily
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
psychology
The author provides an interesting perspective on why people kill. Basically he states that murder is part of human evolution. He backs up his theory with case studies and other research. While I enjoyed his unique perspective on murderers, I would have liked for him to provide even more scientific research and proof to support his theory. Also, the author restated the same points over and over through out the book. I often found it hard to concentrate on the book since it was so repetitious.
I found this book the be very engaging. The author explores the depths of the human mind and gives many examples and stories of people who have been tempted to kill. He explains the various motives and reasons behind murder. Overall, the book is very imformative and easy to read. High reccomended for anyone interested in the subject.
I think the author makes a good case for the evolutionary nature of murder. It could be used as a defense, which he acknowledges. When he was asked to testify for the defense in a murder trial, Mr. Buss declined. This book was thought-provoking and somewhat disturbing, and I recommend for those interested in criminology.
I'm almost done and this is a fascinating book albeit a bit tedious with all the research anecdotes. The book gives an excellent overall exploration of evoluntary psychology but then meanders around and ultimately avoids the entire premise of WHY some people kill not to mention avoiding any deeper investigation within physical brain structure, genetics and antisocial and/or sociopathic personality disorder. Yes, I know someone's gets mad and then thinks about (or commits) murder but how do we pr...more
David Buss, author of the acclaimed "Evolution of Desire," spent seven years studying murder. This is evolutionary psychology: if murderers exist in most or all societies then the desire to murder is part of human psychology; if it's part of human psychology then it must have increased our ancestors' reproductive success.
Based on a wealth of groundbreaking research, a leading psychologist's fascinating investigation of why we are all 'wired to kill'.
Listen to The Murderer Next Door on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Murderer Next Door on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
This book was really interesting; it pulls from a lot more scientific studies than I thought it would. Also, it is really a primer on why we act the way we do in relationships, sometimes to the point of murder, so be prepared for a lot of biological-mating talk.
This was a really interesting look into evolutionary psychology, specifically how it relates to murder but Buss did a fair bit of general, easy to understand explanation. My one complaint is that he did repeat himself a fair bit in both ideas and expression.
My basic complaint with this book is the extreme overload of psycho-babble. I should've noticed that from the book jacket before I started. I suppose I was looking for something more than the authors over-explained theories.
Good book, My second book from Buss his writing has a good pace and is more entertaining than most psychological textbooks. This book did not cover Serial killers just your common neighbor justification for killing.
Excellent study of the human mind and the dark side that is present within us all. I won't give any of this away, but I recommend it very highly.
One of my favorite evolutionary psychologist. This is a great read if you are in to the thought of evolution.
A highly useful book that leaves you considering the history of Murder from an evolutionary perspective.
Interesting insight to the primitive motives that drive us all.
Aug 03, 2011
Kim
added it
Everyong should read this book once.
A very interesting book.
Evolutionary Psychologist David Buss advances the nature over nurture argument that humans are pre-programmed in our genes to kill in the right circumstances and most murders can be explained as being rooted in our DNA.
Pretty boring, filled with stats, and not really targeting the reader who is used to true crime books by Ann Rule, John Douglas, Robert Ressler, etc. Very dry and not particulary interesting to me.
Title is also misleading, which is why you shouldn't judge (or buy) a book for its c...more
Pretty boring, filled with stats, and not really targeting the reader who is used to true crime books by Ann Rule, John Douglas, Robert Ressler, etc. Very dry and not particulary interesting to me.
Title is also misleading, which is why you shouldn't judge (or buy) a book for its c...more
It read like a textbook -- very dry.
Wow. This was tedious to read. Mate this, sexual rivalry that blah blah blah... Makes me want to be single for the rest of my life.
Basically, I had to read and review this for my Biopsychology coursework. I don't think I ever would have picked up this book otherwise. Unsurprisingly, I ran out of word space much sooner than I expected. Review will be put up as soon as it's been marked.
Basically, I had to read and review this for my Biopsychology coursework. I don't think I ever would have picked up this book otherwise. Unsurprisingly, I ran out of word space much sooner than I expected. Review will be put up as soon as it's been marked.
This book absolutly shattered the way that I view my fellow human beings. It's terrifying to think that people are intended to kill other people, that it's hardwired into every fiber of our being. I don't want to believe it, especially when he started to talk about how our canines aren't just to rip the flesh off of animan bones, but rather to inflict pain on our rivals. It's just creepy.
Mar 27, 2008
P.
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sociology /Criminology/Police
Why do people kill other people? What kind of person kills other people? This book is a serious, scientifically informed discussion of these and similar questions. The author contends that "the mind is designed to kill" and then proceeds to amplify and modify that and other statements. A good book.
It didn't feel entirely insightful - if you have the self awareness of a cat you would know that sometimes you think about murder but if you are normal in normal situations, you don't act on it.
I was surprised that this book was more about relationships than murder. Maybe that was the point. I recommend this to those interested in human behavior.
A very interesting look at what makes people kill. I don't know a lot about evolutionary psychology, but it raises some interesting points.
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Jan 19, 2009 06:17pm