Dr Chow agreed that both fiction and non-fiction crime stories have their audiences. Citing Netflix’s series about US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, she highlighted that the TV show surpassed the billion-hour mark in viewing time, making it one of the most watched series on the streaming platform.
“The realistic nature of the series might have made it eerie and thus, more interesting to viewers as there might have been an increased sense of ‘involvement’ with the crimes depicted,” she said.
On the other hand, fictionalised crime stories may be more “palatable” to those who aren’t too concerned with the gruesome nature of the crime, said Dr Chow. These fans may find the stories “fun and enticing” by treating them like crossword puzzles.
“Common to both genres are aspects of problem-solving and cognitive stimulation involved in making sense of complex narratives complete with details on investigations, clues, and the process of justice,” she said.
WHY DO MORE WOMEN THAN MEN ENJOY TRUE CRIME?
A 2010 study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that women tend to be drawn towards true crime stories more than men, according to BBC Science Focus.
“While both men and women are certainly capable of enjoying true crime dramas, women may gravitate towards this genre more due to our keener sense of empathy and interest in psychological analysis,” said Dr Chow.
She continued: “Women generally exhibit greater levels of empathy and emotional sensitivity. True crime dramas often evoke emotional responses as they highlight suffering, emotional toll, and aspects of justice. As women, we may find themselves drawn to these stories, relating to the victims or understanding the psychological nuances of the criminals”.
