Project Director

Howell, Ashley

Department Examiner

Huber, Thomas

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

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.

Acknowledgments

Dedicated to Dr. Janet Hope, whose brilliance inspires, whose strength knows no bounds, and whose love has no end. With acknowledgements to Dr. Elizabeth Hope, for whose wisdom, help, and guidance I am eternally grateful.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

5-2025

Subject

Dark tourism; Public executions; Spectators--Psychological aspects; True crime stories

Keyword

Morbid Fascination; Spectatorship; Rubbernecking; True Crime; Public Executions; Dark Tourism

Discipline

Social Psychology

Document Type

Theses

Extent

45 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

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