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#483 – Julia Shaw: Criminal Psychology of Murder, Serial Killers, Memory & Sex

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#483 – Julia Shaw: Criminal Psychology of Murder, Serial Killers, Memory & Sex

Lex Fridman Podcast

2025/10/14
Lex Fridman Podcast

Lex Fridman Podcast

2025/10/14
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

Julia Shaw is a criminal psychologist and author who in her books explores human nature, including psychopathy, violent crime, the psychology of evil, police interrogation, false memory manipulation, deception detection, and human sexuality. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep483-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep483-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/julia-shaw-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/julia-shaw-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: Julia’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjuliashaw [https://instagram.com/drjuliashaw] Julia’s Website: https://www.drjuliashaw.com/ [https://www.drjuliashaw.com/] Julia’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw [https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw] Julia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliashaw/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliashaw/] Julia’s Books: https://amzn.to/4mQBnTV [https://amzn.to/4mQBnTV] Green Crime (US Book): https://amzn.to/4nLfSVE [https://amzn.to/4nLfSVE] Green Crime (Canadian Book): https://amzn.to/47lBAdc [https://amzn.to/47lBAdc] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep483-sc] BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/betterhelp-ep483-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep483-sc] AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drink. Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep483-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (01:00) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (08:16) – Dark Tetrad – Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism (29:23) – Serial killers (43:59) – Murder (51:51) – Lies and scams (56:38) – Jealousy (1:00:07) – Monogamy (1:05:20) – Sexuality (1:20:21) – Sexual fetishes (1:35:56) – Criminal psychology (1:39:04) – False memories (2:25:01) – Criminals destroying the planet (2:40:24) – Hope PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast [https://lexfridman.com/podcast] – Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr [https://apple.co/2lwqZIr] – Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 [https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8] – RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ [https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/] – Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4] – Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips [https://www.youtube.com/lexclips]

Highlights

In this insightful conversation, criminal psychologist Julia Shaw delves into the complexities of human behavior, exploring the psychological underpinnings of dark personality traits, crime, memory, and relationships. Drawing from her expertise in forensic psychology and personal experiences, she challenges common assumptions about evil, morality, and identity, offering a nuanced perspective on what drives human actions.
22:53
Empathizing with 'monsters' helps make better legal and societal decisions.
32:22
Loneliness impairs reality monitoring and can lead to violent detachment
49:39
No one is entitled to a good life; believing otherwise can lead to anger and violence when expectations aren't met
55:00
Victims are not dumb—scammers use psychological tactics that appeal to universal desires.
56:38
Jealousy is a red flag indicating relationship or self-insecurity and a precursor to intimate partner violence.
1:02:36
Bisexual people may see loving more widely as a superpower despite societal challenges.
1:19:29
Bisexual individuals face higher risks of self-harm and isolation due to lack of community inclusion.
1:35:18
Coming out as bisexual brought allies against hypersexualization
1:36:01
Studying psychology due to her father's paranoid schizophrenia
1:55:29
70% of people can be led to confess to a crime they didn’t commit using suggestive interviews.
2:34:18
Normal people can commit serious environmental harms under social pressure and corporate conformity.
2:46:23
Proper cognitive interviews can prevent false memories and improve justice outcomes

Chapters

Introduction
00:00
Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections
01:00
Dark Tetrad - Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism
08:16
Serial killers
29:23
Murder
43:59
Lies and scams
51:51
Jealousy
56:38
Monogamy
1:00:07
Sexuality
1:05:20
Sexual fetishes
1:20:21
Criminal psychology
1:35:56
False memories
1:39:04
Criminals destroying the planet
2:25:01
Hope
2:40:24

Transcript

Lex Fridman: The following is a conversation with Julia Shaw, a criminal psychologist who has written extensively on a wide variety of topics that explore human nature, including psychopathy, violent crime, psychology of evil, police interrogation, false m...