Why are we so obsessed with the dark side of life? From true crime and horror movies to disaster documentaries and haunted house tours, morbid curiosity is everywhere - but what does it actually say about us? In today’s episode, we explore the psychology of morbid curiosity - why we’re drawn to frightening, disturbing, and even grotesque content, and how this strange pull might be more adaptive than we think.

We discuss:
What morbid curiosity really is, and how it shows up in daily life
The four types of morbid curiosity (and which ones you might lean toward)
How personality traits like openness and sensation seeking shape our preferences
Why some people find comfort in horror, and others find control in true crime
The evolutionary and neurological roots of this phenomenon
How morbid curiosity can turn maladaptive (and where the line is)

Whether you're deep into Reddit rabbit holes or just wondering why you can't look away from crime scene documentaries, this episode is for you. We explore the fascinating science behind fear, survival, and our cultural obsession with darkness - and why it might say more about our strength than our weakness.

 

ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Why are we so obsessed with the dark side of life? From true crime and horror movies to disaster documentaries and haunted house tours, morbid curiosity is everywhere - but what does it actually say about us? In today&rsquo;s episode, we explore the psychology of morbid curiosity - why we&rsquo;re drawn to frightening, disturbing, and even grotesque content, and how this strange pull might be more adaptive than we think.
We discuss:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What morbid curiosity really is, and how it shows up in daily life</li>
<li aria-level="1">The four types of morbid curiosity (and which ones you might lean toward)</li>
<li aria-level="1">How personality traits like openness and sensation seeking shape our preferences</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why some people find comfort in horror, and others find control in true crime</li>
<li aria-level="1">The evolutionary and neurological roots of this phenomenon</li>
<li aria-level="1">How morbid curiosity can turn maladaptive (and where the line is)</li>
</ul>
Whether you're deep into Reddit rabbit holes or just wondering why you can't look away from crime scene documentaries, this episode is for you. We explore the fascinating science behind fear, survival, and our cultural obsession with darkness - and why it might say more about our strength than our weakness.
&nbsp;
ORDER MY BOOK: <a href="https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean">https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/">@jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/">@thatpsychologypodcast</a>
For business:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

 

My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean 

For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
My book is out NOW: <a href="https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean">https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean</a>&nbsp;
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
&nbsp;

The Psychology of your 20s

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

 

Buy my book, Person in Progress: https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655 

For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Buy my book, Person in Progress: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655">https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655</a>&nbsp;
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
&nbsp;

301. Why do we love true crime?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/241628ad-a92f-489a-8954-b2f10056316b/transcript

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