For years, the true-crime media boom has sparked a mix of fascination and debate. Why do millions of people—particularly women—devour stories of murder, betrayal, and real-world danger?
A peer-reviewed study published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests the answer isn’t simply morbid curiosity or sensationalism. Instead, researchers argue, women may be drawn to true crime for reasons deeply rooted in psychology, emotion regulation, and even evolutionary survival mechanisms.
The study, conducted by a team at the University of Graz in Austria, offers one of the most comprehensive empirical examinations to date of why people consume true-crime media and what psychological traits are linked to it.
Collecting data from more than 570 participants, the researchers found clear, consistent gender differences—not just in how much true crime people consume, but why they seek it out in the first place.
Their findings point toward a motive they call “defensive vigilance,” the desire to better understand and prepare for potential threats in the world.
“The success of the true crime media genre reflects humanity’s avid curiosity about violence, deviance, and murder, yet psychological research on this phenomenon is lacking,” the researchers write. “This study provides broad empirical insights into motives as well as behavioural and well-being correlates of true crime consumption.”
Central among researchers’ findings is that women, far more than men, appear to use true crime as a tool for learning how to stay safe in real life.
Learn more here.
