Mutan-aw ba ka ug true crime para makatog? Tsk tsk. Murag red flag ata ka, Sugboanon!
Let’s be honest, true crime dramas are gaining popularity in recent years due to their thrilling stories and the mystery of it all. But, did you know that psychologists caution against excessive interests towards the genre? Well, here’s why:
Curiosity vs Obsession
Study shows that those who relax on true crime have regular exposure to numbing their emotional responses which leads to desensitization to violence. In addition, binging on thrillers can also result in increased anxiety. So, if you caught yourself constantly turning around to watch out for your back during or after watching true crime episodes, then that’s already a sign.
Although true crime dramas can be a source of entertainment, compulsive watching may become a coping mechanism and an unhealthy fixation on anything related to the macabre which can result in that person lacking in empathy and may lean on being fascinated by suffering.
Why We Watch True Crime
Many watch true crime due to these reasons:
#1: We Wanna Know Why Criminals Kill
Questions such as what goes behind the minds of a criminal and what motivated them to do such heinous things are the common ones that rise to our thoughts as we watch true crime dramas. We love analyzing things and putting ourselves in the shoes of the detectives, as well as attempting to solve an unclosed case; giving us a sense of intelligence.
#2: We Want to Avoid Being Caught in One
Most true crime watchers take note of what the victim did prior to the incident. This makes the viewer be more aware of his surroundings. For instance, if an episode is about an unresolved kidnapping case, then a viewer may keep in mind what sort of places to avoid, better yet, what items to carry along all the time as a tool to protect oneself.
#3: We Want to Relate to the Involved.
Again, putting ourselves in their shoes to try and get to live in the exact moment leading up to the events. Some people place themselves in the shoes of the victim, while others, unfortunately, relate to the suspects and killers in a strange way. Having the emotional and mental connections makes the stories even more compelling and draws us, the viewers, even deeper into the plot itself.
We’re not discouraging you to watch true crime, but finding the right balance when it comes to your genres is important, most especially to maintain a healthy set of thoughts. Remember, as humans, our curiosity can easily tip into obsession; and that can do you more harm than good.
