Classical Theories
The feeling that one tries to achieve when reading- watching crime, to escape from their own life for a moment.
Escapism
Writers may use these ups and downs to keep the story exciting.
Twists
This term refers to someone who shows no empathy, guilt, or remorse—often linked with violent offending.
Psychopath
Known as the “Killer Clown,” he performed at children’s parties—and buried victims in his crawl space.
John Wayne Gacy
This loyal doctor is Holmes’s best friend and the narrator of most stories.
Dr. Watson
Classical theory says people choose to commit crimes based on this.
Free will
This fictional serial killer has a code of only killing other killers.
Dexter Morgan
Classical theory assumes people commit crimes after this kind of decision-making process.
Rational choice
This small-town setting is often used to contrast with the horror of a murder.
idyllic village or town
Freud’s theory suggests crime may result from a weak or overpowered version of this part of the psyche.
Superego
This unidentified serial killer sent cryptic letters to newspapers and was never caught in California.
The Zodiac Killer
This 1866 Russian novel explores the psychological torment of a man who commits murder to test a theory.
Crime and Punishment