Although the trial against Daniel Sancho has been taking place in Thailand since Tuesday, in which he is being asked for the death penalty for premeditated murder, there are still many people who say they do not believe what the chef himself would have confessed.: the murder and dismemberment of the plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta. It seems impossible that a young man like him, from a good family, with resources and good looks, could have been capable of committing such an atrocity, since he fascinates with the first impression (which is very difficult to change), something that is known as halo effect.
But beyond this effect of disbelief for that good first perception, There is even something more intriguing: hybristophilia. This is a disturbing cognitive bias that challenges conventional notions about love and attraction. It is the peculiar inclination towards individuals who have committed serious crimes or violent acts, which reveals a deep analysis of human relationships, cognitive biases and the complex interactions between emotions and behaviors.
attraction to the forbidden
The etymology of the term hibristofilia derives from Greek roots hubrizeinwhich means to attack someone, and filo, which means having an affinity/preference for. Therefore, the concept refers to that seemingly inexplicable attraction that some people feel toward those who have committed serious crimes. In essence, hybristophilia becomes a manifestation of attraction to the forbidden, the dangerous and the transgressive. Although it may initially conjure up images of extreme and notorious cases, such as serial killers, hybristophilia can manifest itself in a variety of everyday situations and contexts.
This phenomenon is popularly known as Bonnie and Clyde syndrome, two legendary American fugitives, thieves and criminals who professed a great love for each other until the moment of their death. Although, in reality, hybristophilia finds its roots in a network of cognitive biases that influence the way we perceive and select our romantic relationships, explains Francisco Torreblanca, professor at ESIC. Cognitive biases are systematic thought patterns that can lead us to interpret information in a distorted or irrational way. These biases are errors or mental shortcuts that our brain uses to process the large amount of information we face on a daily basis, he adds.
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According to this expert, one of the protagonists in this scenario is the recency bias, which drives us to feel curiosity and attraction towards what is new and different. Criminals, with their extreme actions, embody precisely that novelty and uniqueness that captures attention and awakens interest. It is a fact that is still surprising and incomprehensible from common sense, he explains.
Furthermore, there is also the narrative bias, which plays a key role in this dynamic. As humans, we crave stories that have clear structure and meaning. Criminals, with their stories of dark backgrounds and shocking acts, offer emotional and captivating narratives that inevitably hook those who listen to them. This can lead, in extreme cases, to the construction of myths and an idealization of the figure of the criminal, which originates and strengthens the attraction, says Torreblanca.
Behavioral and emotional implications
Las implications of hybristophilia They are diverse and often perplexing. From a behavioral point of view, people who experience this attraction may be driven to establish some type of contact with criminals, even going so far as to establish correspondence in prison or visit them there. In extreme situations, it can lead to romantic and sexual relationships with incarcerated individuals.
From the emotional angle, hybristophilia can provide a sense of power and control over the relationship. Those who experience it They may believe that they are capable of changing a criminal., redeeming him from his past actions and transforming him into someone better. But this can be misleading and dangerous, as reality shows that real change in criminals is unlikely, with the associated risk that it entails.
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The forbidden awakens desire
To understand this complex situation, and why some people are attracted to the forbidden, it is essential to recognize and understand the cognitive biases at play. Without a doubt, the human mind is an underexplored and complex terrain, so it is not easy from a rational point of view to discover the keys that allow us to understand and confront this disturbing phenomenon. It’s funny how humans feel attraction for what they prohibit us, even from a very young age when our parents told us, don’t do this. In reality, it was an immediate counterorder to do so, explains Torreblanca.
The halo effect, a first perception of someone towards this type of profiles labeled as criminals or murderers, can generate a positive feeling in someone. But this fact, taken to the radical extreme, can trigger hybristophilia.
Types of hybristophilia
There are several types of hybristophilia, which vary depending on the specific characteristics of the crimes or criminals that attract a person. The best known would be the following:
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Serial killer worship: attraction to serial killers and a morbid fascination with their crimes. Some people may be attracted to the notoriety and ‘skill’ of these criminals.
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Criminal celebrity attraction: attraction to famous criminals, such as thieves, con artists, or other notorious criminals. Fame or the ability to evade the law can be attractive factors.
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Prisoner fantasies: attraction to people who are incarcerated. Some people may be attracted to the idea of having a relationship with someone who is in prison, which may relate to a sense of danger or taboo.
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Power and dominance fascination: attraction to individuals who exert power or control over others, often manifested through violent criminal behavior.
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Rescuer syndrome: Some people may feel the need to ‘rescue’ or change individuals who have committed crimes. This may be related to a drive to heal or to become a positive influence in the criminal’s life.
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Taboo attraction: Some people may be attracted to transgression of social or moral norms, and attraction to criminals may be a manifestation of this inclination.
It is important to point out that Not all people who are attracted to criminals experience hybristophilia in the same way.and the motivations behind this attraction can be varied and complex.
In fact, this disorder can occur passive (where the person fantasizes about a relationship with the criminal, without actually occurring), but also in a activa (where an emotional and sexual relationship would occur).
