The recent rise of popularity in forensic psychology comes from a number of factors. The primary reasons might have to do with the long-term fascination that human societies have with aberrant behavior. There seems to be a long history of interest in terrible people, from Vlad the Impaler to Lizzie Borden, and when there are contemporary personalities who do similar things, it becomes even more compelling. Wanting to understand the deep and dark parts of the human psyche can explain why forensic psychology courses have a lot to offer. As a career choice, it’s becoming more and more attractive to those with an interest in the inner life of human beings.
Part of the interest also certainly comes from the realm of pop culture. With shows like Dexter , where extremely well-written characters become as fascinating and complex as the viewers, but with a much darker streak than most, there is a chance to see oneself reflected but magnified. It might be a peculiarly contemporary phenomenon, but it’s been contemporary for quite some time. Figures in detective fiction like Perry Mason were earlier versions of characters with a certain power, balanced with a certain powerlessness, had an interest in the human psyche. Perry Mason’s own strengths lay in a very detached but compassionate view of the human impulse, and that particular blend was compelling then, and remains so today. It’s no accident that a good psychologist still has to maintain that balance between objectivity and understanding, and in the best moments, everyone is capable of demonstrating these traits.