Episode Transcript
[00:00:05] You're listening to The Love Vox with psychotherapist Amynah Dharani.
[00:00:18] Happy Friday, everyone.
[00:00:20] I recently saw the Netflix docudrama on the Menendez brothers called ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story’ and I learned that there is a large fandom around the brothers on social media.
[00:00:36] Imagine scrolling through TikTok or a similar app, expecting light-hearted dances, adorable pets, culinary tutorials, only to stumble upon videos that romanticize notorious criminals.
[00:00:50] This is a fascinating and perplexing psychological phenomenon now on full display on social media.
[00:00:58] If you have ever felt an attraction toward criminals, know that its not uncommon.
[00:01:04] This infatuation has a name. Its called hybristophilia.
[00:01:10] This term was coined by psychologist John Money in 1986 and the term refers to sexual attraction to criminal offenders.
[00:01:21] While this phenomenon has long existed in the forms of letter writing and courtroom trial attendance, it has surged in our digital age in the forms of social posts and videos, especially on platforms like TikTok.
[00:01:37] I came across a great 2024 academic article by social scientists Thomas Vaughan Williams, Harriet Slater and Camila Gomez. Their research explored the phenomenon of hybristophilia on the social media platform TikTok.
[00:01:55] I will apply their research points to our discussion today.
[00:02:00] Hybristophilia is more than just an interest in criminals. It reflects complex emotional interactions.
[00:02:08] So why are some individuals drawn to those who have committed crimes?
[00:02:13] The reasons are due to various psychological and social factors.
[00:02:18] Lets break them down.
[00:02:21] The first is fear and desire. The thrill of danger is enticing to some. The allure of danger fuels attraction.
[00:02:31] The second, romantic notions. Some may perceive criminals as bad boys or bad girls, appealing figures who defy societal norms, and that can be very attractive to some people.
[00:02:46] The third is empathy. Many feel a protective instinct towards criminals wanting to understand their stories, their backgrounds.
[00:02:57] Each of these points reveals different layers of this attraction.
[00:03:01] Interestingly, the effects of social media and online exploitation have made hybristophilia more visible and social apps like TikTok showcase such connections differently than traditional methods such as letter writing or courtroom support that characterized earlier expressions of hybristophilia.
[00:03:25] Before social media, most expressions of hybristophilia were interactional and less visual. People wrote letters to criminals, forming connections based on their perceptions.
[00:03:37] Now, however, social media platforms have altered the landscape.
[00:03:42] Online, the audience can see videos, memes and discussions about criminals. This shift gives rise to entirely new interactions.
[00:03:53] The historical roots of hybristophilia remind us that this attraction is not a new phenomenon, it has simply found a different platform.
[00:04:02] Consider that there were more than 1.7 billion TikTok users in 2023. The app has exploded in popularity over the past few years, bringing topics such as hybristophilia and criminality into mainstream conversations.
[00:04:19] A recent trend indicates an increase in engagement with crime-related content on TikTok. This engagement often reflects a blend of sensationalism, fascination, and sometimes even admiration.
[00:04:35] What is the emotional lure behind criminal attraction? Why does it feel so compelling to be drawn to criminal individuals?
[00:04:44] The social scientists Vaughn, Williams, Slater, and Gomez identified four major themes from their research on hybristophilia on the social media platform TikTok. Let's go through each of these.
[00:04:58] The first of the themes that the social scientists identified is sexual objectification.
[00:05:06] Sexual objectification is when individuals present criminals as objects of desire. This theme often features creators layering videos with sexually charged music, catchy captions, and alluring filters. For example, a TikTok video might show clips of a notorious felon while overlaying suggestive comments or hashtags. Such portrayals can desensitize viewers, making them see criminals as attractive figures rather than murderers or thieves.
[00:05:37] In what ways could seeing a criminal in this light change your perception of serious crimes?
[00:05:44] The second theme we have is trivialization of trauma.
[00:05:49] This theme is concerning as it portrays serious crimes in a lighthearted manner. Think about it. When someone makes jokes about a violent act, they may minimize its impact. TikTok videos that parody serious offenses tend to normalize or belittle the crimes.
[00:06:09] The third theme is the romanticization of criminals. In this theme, individuals admire and even empathize with the offenders. TikTok creators might share stories of criminals backgrounds, suggesting that their crimes have romantic or heroic elements. A video might highlight a criminals tragic backstory, engendering sympathy while highlighting their actions.
[00:06:33] This behavior can lead viewers to idolize their figures, creating a dangerous narrative around crime.
[00:06:40] Lastly, there is guiltiness. This theme encompasses TikTok users who openly express their attraction to criminals, grappling with their feelings. Videos frequently showcase individuals confessing their complicated attraction, revealing moral dilemmas.
[00:06:57] You might see creators flip through photos of infamous criminals while narrating their feelings of intrigue. Is it possible that this conflict resonates with many, that they too feel torn between attraction and morality?
[00:07:13] You may ask, but how does hybristophilia affect the larger society?
[00:07:18] First and foremost, the content that romanticizes or trivializes criminal behavior can have troubling implications for victims. Imagine you're a victim of crime. You're healing, looking to move on. But then you encounter social media posts that glorify the very person who harmed you. It can be jarring, disorienting, and re traumatizing. This kind of exposure is not just troubling, it's damaging.
[00:07:44] When victims see creators and viewers engaging with criminals in a romanticized manner, it can promote a lack of understanding of the real life consequences of such behaviors. That makes it more challenging for victims to feel validated in their experiences.
[00:08:02] Next, let's talk about the viewers. The overwhelming exposure to hybristophilia content can lead to a dangerous level of desensitization.
[00:08:12] As viewers are exposed to criminal romanticization multiple times, the natural instinct to view such acts with disgust might fade.
[00:08:22] There's a risk that viewers might start to view heinous acts with less empathy. What was once seen as horrific might gradually transform into a mere story or entertainment.
[00:08:34] Does this sound alarming? It should, because it can skew public perception and attitude towards crime as a whole.
[00:08:44] But let's not forget about the creators themselves. Engaging with hybristophilia content can affect them emotionally, too.
[00:08:52] It's easy to assume they're simply looking for views, but many struggle with their feelings regarding the content they share.
[00:09:00] Creators frequently report a struggle between their attraction to their criminals and the empathy they feel toward the victims.
[00:09:09] Many creators express concerns about their own mental health when questioned about the content they engage with.
[00:09:15] Social media discussions are filled with confessions of guilt, questioning whether what they promote is ethical or harmful.
[00:09:23] In my role as a psychotherapist, I ask you, the listener, to be aware of your own internal process, your thoughts and feelings, as you consume social media that expresses hybristophilia.
[00:09:36] Be honest with yourself and ask, what is the reason that I'm being drawn to or put off by the posts that I'm seeing?
[00:09:44] As social interactions continue to shift online, these explorations will be essential for understanding the nuances of human behavior in digital spaces.
[00:09:56] If you'd like to learn more about my private practice, you can go to thelifeinterrupted.com. in the meantime, please connect with The Love Vox on Facebook, Instagram and X. And if you'd like to contribute to the show, please visit the show's website, thelovevox.com, where you can leave voicemails that can be featured on the show, and you can also contribute to stories we're looking to feature. Until next time, stay passionate. Stay curious.
