Millions of listeners weirdly enjoy stories of mystery, crime, and justice (or lack thereof). This trend is due to the rapid rise of true crime related podcasts in recent years. People just eat these stories up! They may be about famous serial killers, unsolved disappearances, or courtroom dramas. Why is true crime so fascinating to us as a society? How does one listen to the most intricate details of a horrific crime, and go on with their day as normal? Maybe it’s the excitement that comes with uncertainty.
The Excitement of Uncertainty
The human brain’s desire for puzzles and problem-solving is at the core of our fascination with crime. People love solving mysteries just as they enjoy playing complex games like Dragon Slots, where unexpected twists and turns keep them engaged. Listeners join the hosts in solving a case. They decode clues, predict events, and enjoy the excitement of cracking the case. This cognitive engagement automatically activates the brain’s reward centers.
Fear and the Need for Security
According to psychologists, we are drawn to these kinds of suspenseful and dreadful stories because it awakens our primal, innate survival instincts. These wild stories make us rethink our safety worries. They help us get ready for the worst. We get to hear about different reactions victims showcased, and what we can do to avoid risky situations like that in real life. Many viewers feel way more present in their surroundings after watching or listening to criminal cases. Professionals call this “anxiety management”
In this way, we can experience terror in a controlled manner when we hear about atrocities from the comfort of our homes. These stories have a start, a middle, and an end. They often bring justice and resolution, which is different from real-life threats.
The Factor of Morbid Curiosity
Morbid curiosity is one of the many genetic reasons we’re drawn to crime. It’s like when people slow down to look at a car accident or run to their windows when they hear a fight break out in their neighbourhoods. Humans are naturally curious creatures who are drawn to the darker sides of life. They want to understand the extremes of human behavior. Through these podcasts, we get to explore dark stories from a very safe distance.
According to studies, people who frequently absorb content about wrongdoings sometimes do it to try to comprehend the motivations behind the actions of these ruthless criminals. Strengthening our sense of right and wrong aids in our understanding of why and how humans can be capable of such atrocities.
The Justical System
Additionally, what makes these eery podcasts or shows so captivating is the fact that they sometimes highlight the shortcomings of the legal systems in which we all live and trust in. Many podcasts also focus on wrongful convictions. Biases, poor legal help, and flawed forensic evidence can lead to innocent people being locked up for years or even sentenced to death. Investigative podcasts’ coverage of high-profile cases has even resulted in exonerations, retrials, and reexaminations of the evidence.
In the end, true crime podcasts provide a special fusion of advocacy, education, and entertainment. The genre remains captivating. It appeals to listeners seeking gripping stories, a clearer view of the criminal justice system, or insights into criminal psychology. And our interest in true crime is unlikely to wane as long as there are unresolved mysteries, unanswered questions, and systemic problems.