The psychology of morbid fascination: The role of spectatorship in executions, rubbernecking, dark tourism, and true crime consumption

This literature review examines the general idea of morbid fascination through the lens of spectatorship. The questions that this paper will attempt to answer and contribute knowledge towards are, “What is the psychology behind morbid fascination?” and “Why are humans drawn to the macabre?”. This paper will use a myriad of different sources such as books, peer-reviewed articles, personal accounts, documentaries, podcasts, and different studies from the psychological, criminal justice, and philosophical fields of study to very carefully review, report, compile, and add new theories onto the information provided. The sections discussed throughout will fall under four categories: Public Executions, Rubbernecking, Dark Tourism, and True Crime Consumption. The questions this paper will answer throughout its development in large are: What is the psychology behind morbid fascination? Why are humans drawn to the macabre? What are the psychological explanations, implications, and impacts of this fascination? This paper serves as a compilation of information as well as a foundation for future academic endeavors regarding morbid fascination.