True crime captivates audiences, with an impressive 84% of Americans aged 13 and older consuming this genre through various media. This obsession raises questions about societal curiosity towards notorious criminals. Dr. Shannon Curry, a psychologist, argues that such interest stems from our evolutionary past, where a fascination with danger and threats was essential for survival. This tendency, known as negativity bias, illustrates how humans are more affected by negative information. Our current obsession with true crime is a modern reflection of an age-old survival instinct that continues to shape our interests.
"Our brains evolved to prioritize attention to danger and threat, because doing so helped our ancestors survive," Curry tells Scary Mommy. "If you were especially curious about how someone got crushed by a boulder, you were more likely to remember the warning signs, avoid similar risks, and live long enough to pass on your genes."
"Psychologically, our heightened sensitivity to threat is part of what is known as negativity bias, or our tendency to notice, remember, and be affected by negative information more than positive or neutral stimuli."
"It's a deeply ingrained survival mechanism," Curry says. "And while we may no longer need to scan the environment for saber-toothed cats, our interest in true crime has roots in our survival instinct."
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