Society’s obsession with true crime, with its morbid and gut-wrenching content, isn’t just about curiosity.
The appeal of true crime, as evidenced by a 2022 YouGov poll that revealed half of Americans consume true crime content, primarily focusing on murder, signifies a complex psychological engagement rather than a simple interest.
Regardless of the crime, media outlets and streaming services continuously pump out podcasts, documentaries and TV specials to satisfy North America’s obsession.
It prompts the question as to why we continue watching or interacting with morbid and disturbing content.
Driving to school at 7 a.m., listening to Donnie Wahlberg’s podcast Very Scary People on the Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka case, I was struck by the horrific details and found myself questioning the underlying reasons for my interest in such content.
Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were responsible for the sexual assault and death of three young girls.
This moment of reflection led me to realize our fascination with horrific crimes extends far beyond curiosity.
Constant media exposure to violent crime floods our lives with stories of tragedy and death.
The 24/7 news cycle consistently shoves stories of violent crime down our throats, and within minutes, the next gruesome story is aired.
This non-stop exposure, summarized by the phrase, “If it bleeds, it leads,” has desensitized us and blurred the line between information and disturbance.
There is another explanation. A study from the University of Illinois in 2010 highlighted that women, in particular, are drawn to true crime for insights on avoiding victimization.
With true crime content, consumers have the opportunity to understand how these crimes are committed, who the victims are, and what makes a killer.
While this points to a potential utility of true crime content, it doesn’t fully explain the widespread appeal.
The real answer, which is rarely acknowledged openly, is that we have a sense of relief and gratitude that we are not the victims.
As much as no one would like to admit this, I firmly believe that the main reason true crime is so popular is because we are happy that the horrific events described haven’t happened to us.
It makes us all feel just a little better by putting into perspective our problems and knowing that things could be far, far worse.
It might sound harsh, but it’s crucial to confront the possibility that part of the obsession is the reassurance it provides about our safety and well-being. This aspect plays a significant role in our consumption patterns.
In the end, whether it’s driven by curiosity, a quest for understanding, or a sense of gratitude for our safety, society’s enduring fascination with true crime reflects a complicated relationship between psychology, media influence, and societal dynamics.