Murder Mayhem and Mystery: The Growing Fascination with True Crime

When you mention the true crime genre, most people immediately think of "Dateline."  This newsmagazine first aired on NBC in 1992 and boasts over 2700 episodes.  Between new episodes and syndication on multiple channels, "Dateline" airs for around 90 hours total every week.  

The podcast medium has steadily gained in popularity since 2005.  The 2014 podcast "Serial," which investigated the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed, is often credited with popularizing the true crime genre in podcasting.  Many people are interested in understanding how crimes happen, the motivations of perpetrators, and how the justice system responds to criminal behavior.  True crime podcasts offer an in-depth exploration of these topics that can be intellectually engaging and satisfying.

Interestingly, a significant proportion of the audience for these true crime podcasts is made up of women.  This may be due in part to the fact that women are more likely than men to be interested in interpersonal relationships, which are often central to true crime stories.  In addition, because women are disproportionately the victims of violent crime, they may feel a particular empathy towards the victims discussed in these podcasts. 

Many true crime podcasts delve into the psychology of criminals and explore the motives behind their crimes.  In writing for the New York Times, Kate Tuttle said, "At the most basic level, true crime satisfies that little-kid desire to see beneath the surface of everything."  

For many women, true crime stories are a way to explore their fears and anxieties in a safe controlled setting.  BYU psychology professor Dr. Brock Kirwan said, "When listening to true crime podcasts, you're putting yourself in a situation where you can trick your brain into thinking this is dangerous, even though you're in a relatively safe environment where you're not in any danger and some people enjoy the response you get from that."  By listening to these stories, you can confront the worst aspects of human behavior without actually experiencing them firsthand.

True crime stories can be educational, as they offer insights into the ways in which women can be targeted and victimized, as well as the strategies they can use to protect themselves.  Dr. Sharon Packer, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, theorizes that learning about true crime can feel "like a dress rehearsal" for women who know they could end up in similar situations themselves.  

For some listeners, true crime podcasts offer a way to escape from their daily lives and immerse themselves in a completely different world.  The suspense and intrigue of these stories can be both thrilling and addicting.  The adrenaline rush that some listeners feel is similar to what you felt when hearing a ghost story as a child.  If podcasts aren't your thing but this escapism sounds intriguing, maybe try the "Hunt a Killer" murder mystery game or subscription box!  

True crime podcasts can also provide women with a sense of community and connection.  Not only do women find they can relate to the victims and their families, but listening to these stories can help them feel less alone in their own personal struggles.  Social media groups and online communities have formed around specific podcasts, offering a way for fans to connect and discuss the cases in greater detail.  Engaging in these communities is appealing for women more so than for men.

Are you interested in adding some true crime podcasts to your listening queue?  Some of the most popular true crime podcasts are My Favorite Murder, True Crime Garage, Crime Junkie, Dr. Death, and Dirty John.  As the popularity of true crime continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how this trend evolves and what new insights it might provide into the human psyche.