Unraveling the Mystery: The Deep Psychological Pull of True Crime Stories
Recently, I found myself embarking on a solitary journey across the hauntingly desolate Australian Nullarbor—a 3,000km stretch that lends itself to deep reflection. As a therapist, my days are often filled with grief, loss and trauma. Yet, during this rare break, I chose to immerse myself in my favorite true crime podcast, 'Morbid'. This choice had me asking myself: why, amid such tranquility and isolation, did I opt to fill the silence with stories of crime and suffering? This question spurred a deeper exploration into why many of us are drawn to true crime.
The Psychological Appeal
Empathy, particularly prominent in women and people assigned female at birth, plays a significant role in the appeal of true crime. This deep-seated empathy allows listeners to forge a visceral emotional connection with the victims. It’s more than feeling sorry for them; it’s about experiencing a fragment of their fear, their despair, and their hope for justice. This vicarious experience is a powerful exercise in compassion and offers a profound lesson in the extremities of human existence.
True crime narratives may also serve as a dark guidebook, illuminating the worst of human behaviors and revealing the depths of human depravity. This knowledge, unsettling yet enlightening, acts as a form of psychological armor. It empowers many—especially women—with crucial insights into the human psyche, potentially enabling them to recognise signs of danger and better navigate or evade potential threats. This reflects our instinctual drive for self-preservation, underscored by a psychological need to prepare for the worst. And lets face it, the statistics on violence against, and murder of, women is horrific.
The Physiological Experience
From a physiological standpoint, engaging with true crime simulates a controlled exposure to danger, which activates the body’s fight-or-flight response. This response, typically triggered by perceived threats, floods our bodies with adrenaline and other stress hormones, preparing us to either fight or flee. While there’s no real threat when we consume true crime, the body reacts as if there were, providing a safe, thrilling experience of fear.
This thrill isn't merely for entertainment—it taps into the body’s addiction to adrenaline, a hormone that increases alertness and can be intensely pleasurable. This biochemical reaction also triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the reward centers of the brain. The brain's reward system is activated when we engage in activities that it perceives as beneficial for survival, such as learning from others' dangers and mistakes. Thus, the engagement with true crime becomes a potent mix of excitement, reward, and a deep-seated evolutionary learning process.
Additional Allures of True Crime
Sense of Control and Order: True crime stories often culminate in a resolution that restores a semblance of order, providing a reassuring sense of justice served. This narrative structure helps assuage the chaos of real life, reinforcing our belief in a just world.
Curiosity About the Forbidden: True crime indulges our curiosity about the macabre and forbidden without actual exposure to danger. It may present a safer exploration of societal taboos and the darker sides of human nature.
Complex Problem-Solving: These narratives engage our cognitive faculties as we piece together clues and try to solve the mystery before the resolution is revealed. This intellectual engagement is stimulating and satisfying.
Social Interaction: True crime has cultivated a robust community of followers who connect over shared interests, discuss cases, and explore theories, enhancing the social appeal of the genre.
Exploration of Moral and Ethical Questions: True crime prompts us to consider complex moral dilemmas, critique the justice system, and reflect on societal issues, encouraging a deeper philosophical engagement with real-world implications.
Catharsis: Engaging with stories where justice prevails can provide a cathartic release of pent-up emotions, offering relief and a vicarious sense of justice.
Personal and Public Safety: The genre serves as an educational tool on safety and awareness, potentially helping listeners avoid real-life dangers.
Navigating the Abyss
However, the fascination with true crime is not without its darker implications. For those with personal traumas, true crime can act as a trigger, reopening old wounds under the guise of entertainment. This can lead to a re-traumatisation for some, making it crucial for consumers of true crime to understand their motivations. Are they seeking empowerment through forewarned knowledge, or are they unwittingly re-traumatising themselves?
Additionally, there's the risk of desensitisation. Constant exposure to violent content can dull our emotional responses, not just to fictional representations but also to real-world atrocities. This can erode the very empathy that draws us to these stories, potentially diminishing our ability to empathise in real-world scenarios.
A Call for Conscious Consumption
As we delve into these narratives, it is essential to do so with a mindful awareness of their impact. True crime should not only satisfy our curiosity but also foster a deeper understanding of criminal psychology, justice, and survivorship. At Progressive Therapeutic Collective, we encourage a balanced engagement with true crime, informed by both its psychological benefits and its emotional toll.