Isn’t it crazy that we love true crime? Why do life-threatening situations entertain us?
We LOVE watching movies and series about crimes but also the life-threatening situations presented daily on the news channel. True crime provides a safe way to explore these dark aspects of human nature. By reading or watching true crime stories, we can confront our fears from the comfort of our own homes. This controlled exposure allows us to experience the thrill of fear without any real danger. Humans have a big curiosity about danger. It’s the same reason we love roller coasters, horror movies, or haunted houses.
True crimes allow us to explore intense feelings, in a controlled environment, where nothing bad can happen. Continue reading to find out which are the 9 reasons behind our guilty pleasure!
1. It’s normal to be obsessed with true crime
Dr. Michael Mantell, the former chief psychologist of the San Diego Police Department, says that there is nothing wrong if we are obsessed with true crime. It means that we are normal and healthy. He thinks that our interest in crimes shows several healthy psychological purposes. But of course, there should be a limit. The doctor says that he would be concerned if all that a person does is to talk about crimes, read about crimes, and have collections of newspapers with crimes… Overconsumption of true crime can have significant negative effects on ourselves. For example, we can have the feeling that a serial murderer is constantly following us, which is simply not true.
FBI says that less than one percent of all murders committed yearly are caused on the street by serial murderers. So, if you are thinking about all these kinds of stuff, you should immediately stop! The chances of such a scenario happening to you are really low.
2. We are fascinated by everything evil-related
Murder is “a most fundamental taboo” as Dr. Paul G. Mattiuzzi says. This battle between good and evil has always been present in humans’ lives, and it continues to fascinate us, nowadays. True crimes allow us to get closer to the evil, without losing the sense of control. It allows us to see the bad side, to be able to enjoy the good part of life. What an interesting game!
How could we meet evil in our simple lives, another way than through crime scenes? We simply couldn’t. So, owning information about something life-threatening can help us feel in control of our emotions and discover ourselves.
3. We want to know the reasons behind killers actions
We want to find out by ourselves what draws these people to commit such extreme actions. We enjoy discovering what made the killers act in that manner, and discovering some insights not only entertains us but also gives us an interesting feeling of control. Once we better understand the entire process, we can say that we are also ready to protect our friends and family if needed.
In an interview for Hopes&Fears, Caitlin Rother said that we are very attracted by aberrant behavior and the many paths that twisted perceptions can take.
4. We are happy that we are safe and not the victim
One of the many reasons we love true crime is that we feel relieved that we are not the victim. Watching others get into trouble can be satisfying, since is not life-threatening, at all, for those who are enjoying a movie from their cozy coach. It’s not necessarily sadistic, as Parker says, but if bad faith had to fall on someone, at least it fell on someone else.
Crimes are like a lesson we all have to learn from. Since we didn’t experience anything similar we can consider ourselves lucky. But in case we’ve been through an identical situation, seeing it from another point of view can also teach us a lot.
5. We like the adrenaline rush crimes give us
Bonn says “If you doubt the addictive power of adrenaline, think of the thrill-seeking child who will ride a roller coaster over and over until becomes physically ill. The euphoric effect of true crime on human emotions is similar to that of roller coasters or natural disasters”.
Even though we know we are safe, our brains react to the tension created by the story as if we were in a real-life dangerous situation. This response includes an increase in heart rate and a burst of energy. This psychological reaction can be thrilling, providing a rush of adrenaline that many people find attractive.
6. We enjoy playing the role of detectives
While watching crime series the most interesting part is represented by the bets we make with our loved ones. Thinking about who is the serial killer and solving murder cases can be very satisfying since people are doing it from their homes. Humans like puzzles, and usually, crime series are like a game for our brains. Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University, told Hopes & Fears that most true crimes are offered as a puzzle the people want to solve.
7. We can acknowledge and manage our fears
The crimes offer us insights into the psychology of fear, helping us understand why we react the way we do to certain threats. Learning about the common traits and behaviors of criminals can demystify them, making them feel less shadowy, and more like individuals with specific patterns. This knowledge can reduce the fear of the unknown, as we realize that many crimes are not random but are often committed by individuals who fit certain profiles.
The crime stories always focus on the victims and their families, allowing us to empathize and connect with them. This way, we can process our fears through the lens of the characters’ experiences.
8. The media has bombarded us with a lot of crime stories
Since the 50’s we have been bombarded with a lot of crime stories. Mantell said that the fear of real crimes symbolizes the love we hold for it if it’s at a safe enough distance. TV programs understand what is their key to success. So, more than 80% of the daily news is about crimes that took place in different parts of the country. Also, on the channels dedicated to movies and series, a large amount of them have crimes as a central subject.
9. We enjoy being scared … but in a safe way.
Fear stimulates the brain, engaging it in various complex ways. Scary experiences often involve suspense and mystery, keeping our minds active and alert. This mental stimulation can be very satisfying, as it challenges us to think critically, solve problems, and anticipate what will happen next. The stories of real-life killers are for adults, and stories with monsters are for children.
If you are passionate about mystery games, we would like to recommend one, you’ll for sure love. It can be found on Amazon. Make sure you check out its great reviews if you are not convinced of purchasing it immediately.
Considering all the events that took place recently in the United States, we invite you to also read this article: 8 Shocking Traits All Active Shooters Have In Common. Since Donald J. Trump was shot, a lot of speculations have been spread with the help of media channels. See which are the things shooters have in common and what is going on inside their minds when they are getting ready to produce a crime scene.
