The Dark Attraction: Why Some Fall in Love with Serial Killers and Psychopaths
A disturbing psychological phenomenon drives some individuals to form intense attachments to those who have committed violent crimes, including serial killers and psychopaths. Dubbed hybristophilia – sexual attraction to perilous people – this complex behavior is rooted in deeply unsettling psychological factors,according to experts.Dr. Das, speaking to Unilad, explains that many individuals drawn to violent criminals share a common history of trauma. “Many of these women are all inwardly unsettled, come from violent relationships or traumatic childhood. They are attracted to what they know, not what is safe,” he states. This attraction isn’t necessarily about the crime itself, but a search for control within a seemingly powerless dynamic. “In relation to the imprisoned murderer, you have power, determine when you will see when you communicate. There is no risk of deceiving you,” Dr. Das elaborates.
Beyond a familiarity with violence, the ”Savior’s Complex” also plays a meaningful role. Some individuals attempt to “rescue” a criminal as a means of addressing thier own emotional voids stemming from childhood or past experiences. “And the effort to correct the serial killer is the highlight of this complex,” the doctor claims.History provides chilling examples of this phenomenon. Ted Bundy, despite being convicted of brutal murders, married Carole Ann Boone while incarcerated. Similarly, Charles Manson, convicted for the 1969 murders of nine people, including Sharon Tate, married a 26-year-old woman in 2014.
It’s crucial to note that not all individuals with psychopathic traits are violent. Research suggests that up to 1 in 20 general population may meet the criteria for psychopathy. Though, relationships with dangerous individuals rarely stem from genuine love, but rather from deep psychological disorders and the need for control or ‘rescue.’ Hybristophilia reveals the complex and often dark nature of human emotions, and the lengths some will go to feel needed.
