Guilty Pleasures: The Psychological Effects of True Crime Media Consumption

This study examines the effects of true crime media consumption on one’s fear of crime and the attitudes they have toward the criminal justice system. More and more people are being exposed to the world of true crime, and this study examines how that can change a person's perceptions. An online survey was distributed through social media as well as to students at the University of Lynchburg. Participants recorded their true crime media consumption habits and completed two scales, the Attitudes Toward the Criminal Legal System scale and the Fear of Crime scale. The hypothesis was supported for those who consume more true crime content and have low attitudes toward the criminal legal system. This indicates that those who consume more true crime content may not have a higher fear of crime but do have more negative attitudes toward the Criminal legal system.