Читать книгу Figure It Out - Stephen P. Anderson - Страница 61

The most recent research into narratives has focused on a neurochemical called oxytocin, associated with feelings of trust. When we are trusted or shown a kindness, the brain produces oxytocin. This signals “it is safe to approach others.” Accordingly, oxytocin is critical to cooperation in groups.

So what does this have to do with narratives? While we can dwell on different kinds of narratives, conflicts, plot twists, and so on, it seems what the brain cares most about are characters, especially our hero. We are wired to pay attention to the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.

According to Paul J. Zak, Ph.D., who has led much of the research into this topic:

It seems that once we are attentive and emotionally engaged, our brains go into mimic mode and mirror the behaviors that the characters in the story are doing or might do. As social creatures we are biased toward engaging with others, and effective stories motivate us to help others ...

To the brain, good stories are good stories, whether first-person or third-person, on topics happy or sad, as long as they get us to care about their characters.²²

In reading, or sometimes watching, these stories, we quite literally identify with the characters. We experience an empathy that is every bit as real as what we experience when interacting with others.