The Psychology of Your 20s: Episode 301 - Why Do We Love True Crime?

Host: Gemma Sbeg
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Podcast: The Psychology of Your 20s
Provider: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In Episode 301 of The Psychology of Your 20s, host Gemma Sbeg delves into the intriguing phenomenon of our fascination with true crime. While true crime has surged in popularity across podcasts, books, and television, Gemma seeks to uncover the psychological underpinnings behind this morbid curiosity.

Understanding Morbid Curiosity

[00:05:30]
Gemma begins by defining morbid curiosity as the tendency to seek out information or experiences related to dangerous, disturbing, or threatening topics, including death, violence, and supernatural threats.

“Morbid curiosity is basically the tendency to seek out information or experiences related to dangerous, disturbing, dark or threatening topics.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:05:30]

She emphasizes that this curiosity is not merely about seeking thrills but is rooted in an inherent human drive to explore novel and stimulating experiences, whether positive or negative.

The Morbid Curiosity Scale

Gemma introduces Dr. Colton Scrivener from Arizona State University, who developed the Morbid Curiosity Scale. This scale categorizes interests into four main areas:

1. Dangerous Animals: Fascination with shark attacks, poisonous snakes, etc.
2. Violent Interpersonal Events: Interest in crime, murder, assault, and criminal psychology.
3. Supernatural Threats: Attraction to ghosts, demons, the occult, and paranormal activities.
4. Bodily Violations: Curiosity about autopsies, medical anomalies, graphic injuries, and car crashes.

“People high in openness to experience, for example, they are more likely to enjoy complex thought-provoking forms of true crime documentaries or dark philosophical fiction.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:07:45]

She notes that individual preferences in these categories often align with specific personality traits, such as openness to experience or sensation-seeking behaviors.

Evolutionary Psychology and Threat Simulation

Gemma explores the evolutionary basis for morbid curiosity, suggesting that it developed as a survival mechanism. Early humans benefited from learning about threats without direct exposure, allowing them to navigate a dangerous world more effectively.

“Our ancestors would simulate those threats in their minds as a way to develop survival strategies. It's basically a primitive version of high-stakes observational learning.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:10:15]

This threat simulation theory posits that consuming true crime content today serves as a modern form of this ancient survival strategy, enabling individuals to understand and prepare for potential dangers in a controlled environment.

Neuroscience Behind True Crime Enthusiasm

Delving into the neuroscience of true crime consumption, Gemma explains how certain brain regions are activated during engagement with this content:

• Amygdala: Activates the brain's fear center, detecting threats and initiating the fight-or-flight response.
• Insula: Involved in processing empathy, making the experience more human and emotionally resonant.

“It's like a gym for our emotions.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:14:05]

Despite the activation of fear responses, other parts of the brain signal safety, allowing individuals to experience intense emotions without actual danger. This balance creates a satisfying experience where fear is confronted and mastered.

Gender Differences in True Crime Consumption

Gemma highlights significant gender disparities in true crime consumption, noting that approximately 80% of the true crime audience is female. She explores reasons behind this trend:

• Survival Learning Mechanism: For many women, true crime narratives resonate on a personal level, often relating to gender-based threats and personal safety concerns.
• Empathy and Preparedness: Women may seek to understand the signs and circumstances surrounding crimes to better protect themselves and others.

“For women, stories about danger can feel really personal. And so we want to understand what happened, we want to understand how it happened.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:16:40]

In contrast, men are often more interested in supernatural horror and aggressive content, aligning with different psychological motivations and interests.

True Crime and the Twenties: A Peak in Morbid Curiosity

According to Gemma, true crime consumption peaks in our twenties due to several factors:

• Life Instability: This decade is marked by significant transitions, existential questions, and newfound independence, making individuals more susceptible to exploring and understanding complex emotions.
• Confronting Mortality: Young adults become more acutely aware of their mortality, prompting a desire to understand and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
• Identity Formation: Engaging with true crime allows individuals to reflect on their values, justice perceptions, and personal boundaries.

“There is the concept of threat simulation, which allows us to engage with these fears in a safe space.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:15:50]

Balancing True Crime Consumption: Avoiding Desensitization

Gemma warns of the potential psychological risks associated with excessive true crime consumption:

• Vicarious Stress and Trauma: Continuous exposure to violent and tragic content can lead to feelings of apprehension, anxiety, and a distorted perception of the world as more dangerous than it is.
• Compassion Fatigue: Overexposure may result in emotional exhaustion and a diminished capacity for empathy, known as compassion fatigue.

“Desensitization is not a badge of honor. Feeling disturbed, feeling emotional, needing to look away. That is a sign that your empathy is intact.”
— Gemma Sbeg [00:25:00]

To mitigate these effects, she recommends:

• Self-Assessment: Regularly evaluate how true crime content affects your emotions. If it leads to anxiety or numbness, it may be time to reduce consumption.
• Content Selection: Choose respectful and empathetic true crime content that honors victims and avoids sensationalism.
• Balancing Content: Supplement heavy true crime consumption with lighter, more positive content to maintain emotional equilibrium.

Listener Questions and Insights

Towards the episode’s conclusion, Gemma addresses listener questions, further exploring the nuances of true crime fascination:

1. Consuming True Crime Despite Anxiety:

   • Answer: Some individuals seek mastery and control over their fears by exposing themselves to anxiety-inducing content. This exposure acts as a way to gain information and reduce the power of fear.

   “Your brain is being pulled in two directions. You don't like this content, but you need something.”
   — Gemma Sbeg [01:05:20]

2. Lack of Fear When Consuming True Crime Alone:

   • Answer: Being able to distinguish between real and fictional scenarios indicates a healthy grasp of reality. Feeling safe suggests mental stability and the ability to manage fear effectively.

   “It means that you have a very stable hold over your reality.”
   — Gemma Sbeg [01:10:45]

3. Link Between True Crime and Freud's Thanatos:

   • Answer: While Freud’s concept of Thanatos (the death drive) suggests an intrinsic attraction to aggression and destruction, modern psychology often attributes true crime fascination to curiosity, empathy, and a desire for preparedness rather than an inherent desire for chaos.

   “We are like submerging ourselves in the representations of violence without feeling it.”
   — Gemma Sbeg [01:15:30]

4. Selective Consumption of Crimes:

   • Answer: Personal connections to certain types of crimes can influence one's ability to engage with related content. Crimes that feel too close to home may create a barrier due to heightened personal fear and emotional responses.

   “The only way you can is if you haven't personally been touched by it.”
   — Gemma Sbeg [01:20:10]

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Gemma concludes by reiterating the importance of maintaining empathy and humanity while engaging with true crime content. She urges listeners to:

• Respect Victims: Ensure that the content consumed treats victims with dignity and avoids exploitation.
• Set Boundaries: Recognize when to step back from consuming intense content to preserve mental and emotional well-being.
• Choose Wisely: Opt for well-researched and compassionate true crime narratives over sensationalist portrayals.

“Remember, if you are just consuming to be like, oh, I hope this doesn't happen to me, or oh, well, that's interesting and I'm bored and I need a thrill, I don't think that's a kind way to treat what is someone else's life and someone else's death.”
— Gemma Sbeg [01:30:50]

By understanding the psychological motives behind our attraction to true crime, Gemma emphasizes that this fascination can be both adaptive and informative when approached mindfully.

Conclusion

Episode 301 offers a comprehensive exploration of why true crime captivates so many, particularly those in their twenties. By blending evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and social insights, Gemma Sbeg provides listeners with a deeper understanding of their own morbid curiosities and offers strategies to engage with true crime content responsibly.

Follow Gemma Sbeg on Instagram: @psychologypodcast
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