So, how do stories actually work? What happens in that grey matter between our ears?
This week lets discuss a few psychological phenomenon that occur when we read. That way we can keep this in mind as we write! As usual you can see the video essay here:
Stories are incredibly powerful and have real world consequences. Stories even cause physiological changes within us. Here are a few studied psychological events that can happen when we read, watch, or told a good story.
- Assimilation – Where the reader takes on the qualities of a fictional group.
Examples from the BBC video on the science of storytelling: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vyZMSZG2Dmk
Dr. Zoe Walkington studied some research papers on the effects of assimilation among other things. It is stated that people who read a few chapters of Harry Potter rate themselves higher than others, in the potential ability to move something with their minds ( I would imagine the same would hold true for star wars fans).
On the other hand those that read a few chapters of Twilight believe that their teeth are slightly longer than that of the general population.
2. Transportation – When the reader loses themselves in a fictional story world.
Anyone who has been watching my channel over the years can relate to this. We covered Game of Thrones and A Song Of Ice And Fire for years. A lot of us were lost in Westeros. Its one of the reasons we still haven’t got over the fact that it ended, not to mention how it ended. Although many of us didn’t like hated the ending, we yearn to go back, and we will with the upcoming show, House Of The Dragon.
3. Identification – Where the reader takes on the perspective and identity of a fictional character in a story.
The things that are happening to a character are happening to us. This is thought to be linked to our ability to empathize with others.
4. Para social Relationships – When you form a relationship with a fictional character. This doesn’t mean you are actually talking to them (I hope).
To the reader, it is almost like these characters are a real people. Oddly enough, studies have shown this can actually help us feel less lonely and improve our mood.
5. Change – Real change through stories. As in, stories have a much better chance to change the views of someone as opposed to arguments. Even deep seeded political issues.
So what actually happens in out brains when we read or hear a good story?
Neuroscientists from Cambridge looked at specific parts of the brain when reading. For example of you read the word jump or run, it activates those areas of the brain that light up when you do actually jump or run.
The theory is that it activates what are called mirror neurons. These are neurons that are triggered in our heads when watching the actions of others. Some scientists think that these neurons actually help create empathy in the first place.
Some scientists think that these neurons actually help create empathy in the first place.
So you might actually smile when the character you are reading about is happy. On the other hand you may feel sadness when reading about a sad character. We have all felt this at some point, whether reading or watching a movie or show.
These are just a few examples that I find fascinating. I’m sure it may be more effective with visual story telling, only because its so immersive as a medium. We have all teared up or cheered or yelled at a movie at the TV or movie screen. We see and hear characters and what’s going on around them in a movie and the consequences of their actions. So imagine if you could write like that, in a way that really gets readers immersed in your world, to empathize with not only your protagonist, but your antagonist in some way. If we can write in a way to get this kind of depth of emotion, imagine the limits…yeah, there are none.
So imagine if you could write like that…
So how do we write like that?
Watch all the writing tips videos but here are a few principles to keep in mind:
- Constant change (at its core that’s all a story is)
Write change or the threat of change. Imaging you are walking down the street in your own world, and you hear a loud noise, or your name called. You immediately turn in that direction to evaluate what just changed. You have to, your brain is wired to do so for survival. Its a threat assessment. Write with this in mind!
A couple of examples:
That first line of Harry Potter is threatening change. We have to find out why. Or rather our brains do. We have to access the threat.
That is change. A clock does not strike 13. We have to read on!
2. Cause and Effect – Continue the change. Each change leads to the next thing changing and so on.
Before we go further think of where stories started.
We come from hunter gatherers. We still have these instincts. But how did they police themselves? How did they maintain order in these tribes? Stories and gossip. Because you heard the stories, to avoid being talked about in a negative way , you policed yourself (most of the time). So because there is a threat to be talked about negatively, the effect is to behave and put the tribe ahead of yourself. If you do that, you are a protagonist. Usually described as selfless, because you put the tribe first and all the stories pin you in a good light.
Those that don’t are called antagonists or villains, because they are selfish as opposed to selfless. They put themselves first instead of the tribe. And stories are told about them too, (called gossip) only typically in a negative way. (But in his or her mind, he or she is the hero.) That’s all a villain is, a hero of their own story.
3. Morality – When you hear this gossip, you want to see what happens. Did the guy being gossiped about get what he deserved? Did the victim get perceived justice? This is what keeps people turning the page or finishing the movie.
The bottom line!
Our brains have evolved to tell and understand the world through stories. Stories are not some invention of a caveman with a hammer and chisel, or some ancient dude with a quill and ink. Rather, stories ARE the product of biological evolution.
So pick up more books, and whatever you do. Keep Writing!
~Chris
