The Psychology of Stalking: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives

by J. Reid Meloy (Editor)

The Psychology of Stalking is the first scholarly book on stalking ever published. Virtually every serious writer and researcher in this area of criminal psychopathology has contributed a chapter. These chapters explore stalking from social, psychiatric, psychological and behavioral perspectives. New thinking and data are presented on threats, pursuit characteristics, psychiatric diagnoses, offender-victim typologies, cyberstalking, false victimization syndrome, erotomania, stalking and domestic violence, the stalking of public figures, and many other aspects of stalking, as well as legal issues. This landmark text is of interest to both professionals and other thoughtful individuals who recognize the serious nature of this ominous social behavior.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

327 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've managed a number of stalking cases over the past few years, and I continue to seek out a better understanding of these situations. This one was published back in '98, but it was edited by the doyen of Threat Management, Dr. Reid Meloy, so I thought I should give it a read. It did not disappoint and provided much more value that the larger (314 pages vs 500+) collective volume on stalking I trudged through last December.

Highlights included the authors of the USSS Exceptional Case Study Project (which was a recent publication at the time) discussing their findings in detail, a substantive review of Tarasoff, a study of false victimization with a practical typology, and several very good substantive pieces on the social influence, psychodynamics and offender-victim typologies. The only real criticism I'd offer on this one is that the chapter on Stalking and Domestic Violence is clearly dated, in both its perspectives and approach.

I strongly recommend this for anyone who may have a professional touch on stalking, or who has an interest in the issue.

[Laurena Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

more intriguing than Criminal Minds.

I have to admit though, having been stalked by an ex-colleague and being forced to leave my job because of him has indeed changed me. Although the stalking was never physically violent, I swing between looking over my shoulders and shutting the world out by listening to my iPod everywhere I go.

[Kerry-Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it's two decades old, the information it gives is most interesting. I would wonder what an updated book on stalking, written this year or last, would be like with all the new data...

[Dorentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book only because of my thesis recently, and this intrigued me. I learned a lot thanks to author.

[Michael Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters to which Meloy contributed are more accessible than some of his other technical work on more frightening subjects. It contains chapters by (among others) Chris Hatcher, Stephen White, and Jim Cawood.

[Annatakken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting old academic work; works from the 90s are always so obsessed with typologies and case studies! Where is the psychological research? Interesting nontheless.