Our Fascination With Serial Killers Explained

Serial killers have captured the public’s imagination for decades. Movies, podcasts, books, and documentaries about them continue to grow in popularity. But what is it about these crimes - and the people who commit them - that draws so much attention?

Surprisingly, psychologists still know relatively little about why this fascination exists. In this talk, Dr Ross Bartels will explore how people engage with stories about serial killers, why some individuals are especially interested, and what functions this fascination might serve. He will share new research that looks at how to measure interest in serial killers and the factors that may influence it. Whether you’re someone who follows true crime closely or you’re simply curious about the topic, this session will offer fresh insight into why society remains captivated by some of the most disturbing criminals in modern history.

Speaker Bio:

Ross Bartels, PhD is a research psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Lincoln, UK, where he leads the Forensic and Crime Research Group (FCRG). Ross’ research and theoretical work focuses on understanding offence-related cognitions, sexual fantasies and interests, and sexual offending, as well as people’s attitudes towards those who have offended. He has published many studies, reviews, and book chapters on these topics and has co-edited two books on sexual deviance. He is also an Editor-in-Chief for the Sexual Offending: Theory, Research, and Prevention journal.

Presented by Seed Talks

This is an 18+ event