How long does this quiz take?

Most people complete this quiz in about 5-10 minutes.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose anything about me?

No. This quiz is for self-reflection and educational insight only.

Can my results help me understand my personality better?

Yes. Your results can offer insight into curiosity, emotional tolerance, and openness to intense topics.

This quick self-assessment explores how drawn you are to dark, dangerous, or unsettling topics.

Morbid Curiosity Scale

A psychology-inspired look at fascination with the macabre.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Some people are naturally drawn to topics others avoid—crime, death, the paranormal, or the darker sides of human behavior. The Dark Curiosity Assessment explores this tendency in a thoughtful, non-judgmental way, helping you understand what types of unsettling material capture your attention.

This test is informed by psychological research on curiosity and threat awareness. High interest in dark topics does not indicate pathology—in fact, it may reflect heightened information-seeking or emotional resilience. If you’re curious how this overlaps with emotional sensitivity, you may also want to explore our Highly Sensitive Person Questionnaire.

Dark curiosity also overlaps with broader personality traits such as openness and sensation-seeking. For additional insight into how novelty and intensity shape your experiences, consider the Sensation Seeking Scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: Most people complete this quiz in about 5-10 minutes.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Morbid Curiosity Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Morbid Curiosity Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose anything about me?: No. This quiz is for self-reflection and educational insight only.
Can my results help me understand my personality better?: Yes. Your results can offer insight into curiosity, emotional tolerance, and openness to intense topics.

Dark Curiosity Assessment: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Dark Curiosity

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. Understanding a criminal’s mindset interests me more than the crime itself.

2. Occult traditions are intriguing to me.

3. I would watch a life-or-death duel if it were socially acceptable.

4. I’m interested in what happens to the body after death.

5. I would watch interviews with violent offenders to understand them better.

6. Cultural practices involving magic or curses interest me.

7. I prefer media that does not censor violent content.

8. Preserved or altered bodies spark my curiosity.

9. Profiling violent individuals sounds like an appealing career path.

10. Tools believed to communicate with spirits interest me.

11. I’m curious about how ancient battles unfolded in reality.

12. I wonder how lethal substances affect the human body.

13. I want to understand how violent people think and feel.

14. Learning about witchcraft or spell-based traditions appeals to me.

15. I would be interested in witnessing historical forms of punishment or execution.

16. I am curious about extreme or experimental medical procedures.

17. Detailed reports of violent crime capture my attention.

18. I enjoy learning about supernatural or paranormal threats.

19. Watching violent historical combat would interest me.

20. I would want to understand how post-mortem examinations are done.

21. I like exploring the psychological motives behind real crimes.

22. Rituals meant to expel dark forces fascinate me.

23. If violence occurred nearby and I was safe, I would feel compelled to watch.

24. I am curious about how the body responds to major physical trauma.

25. I am curious about the causes and aftermath of large-scale disasters or accidents (such as plane crashes or industrial failures).

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Morbid Curiosity Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Scrivner, C. (2021). The psychology of morbid curiosity. Personality and Individual Differences, 183, 111139.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.