The question posed above is interesting. Most observers of this case will conclude that JA is a psychopath. But actually little historical characterological information has been forthcoming in the defense testimony or on talk shows. She “successfully” lived with a man for over 4 years!!!! That takes some skill in navigating conflict and negotiating compromises. Nobody to my knowledge has stated that JA was frequently caught in lies – ala Casey Anthony.
Most people simply say that she evoked a certain”creepiness” and that she had a “blank soulless stare”. A lot of former acquaintances say she was very “private” and rarely talked about herself or discussed any of her problems.
She obviously was highly skilled in creating an evocative sexy persona which would be attractive to males and a total “turn off” to females.
BUT to my knowledge she:
*Never broke the law
* never was arrested ie no DUIs no shoplifting etc
* was never fired from her food service jobs (???)
*paid her bills as best she could
*owned a car
*successfully held and used a credit card and a cell phone
*was never “jilted” or shunned by all her prior male suitors.
So it would seem- correct me if I am wrong here!!! – JA never demonstrated past behavior which would be characterized by a forensic psychologist as “psychopathy” or “sociopathy”!!!
It would be interesting to hear from people from her past. And yes, I think most of us who believe she shows evidence of being a psychopath or sociopath are gleaning that mostly from what we have heard and seen since she knew Travis.
But there are some clues, I think. These are the characteristics of a sociopath or psychopath. Not all will apply. I have bolded the ones I think that may apply to jodi arias (among possible others on the list):
Dr. Hare's Checklist (Sociopathic Traits)
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Sociopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A sociopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Sociopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Sociopaths often have low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and un empathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
http://sociopathicstyle.com/traits/classic.htm
Most of what I have bolded can be gleaned from jodi's interviews with media and police and her affect after murdering Travis.
Her testimony regarding her childhood history and allegations of abuse struck some as evidence of very frustrated parents trying to deal with an out of control child. There is a rumor? that she broke her little brother's arm with a bseball bat when they were children. She testified that she skipped final exams and was ditching school. She failed to graduate. It is unlikely that she became promiscuous overnight.
She testifies to a stream of boyfriends that she went through in succession, with overlaps. The longest relationship is with Daryl but she left him the very moment something better came along. I think he was the best thing she had until then. Note how easily she left her boyfriend's little boy, who she lived with for sometime, with never any further contact.
Sociopaths and psychopaths often exhibit criminality, have a list of charges, explosive tempers, etc. I think she might have exhibited explosiveness when younger but we don't know for sure. Regardless, not all sociopaths and psychopaths evidence every one of the traits on the list.
I recommend reading The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout. Fascinating read. Many, many sociopaths lead "normal" lives, married, with kids, in business, and few know the truth of who they are. Many learn to hide it.
I mean, look at BTK, or Ted Bundy or a host of other serial killers who effectively hid their true natures from most people.
They also are very effective at slipping out of legal trouble because often, the people they victimize are ashamed that they had been taken in by such a person.
