The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we feel shape our emotional and ethical reality, which of course is the great psychological function of literature and the reason why art can function as a form of therapy.
The Future of StoryTelling: Wisdom in the Age of Information, by Maria Popova
A great storyteller — whether a journalist or editor or filmmaker or curator or professor or pastor — helps people figure out not only what matters in the world, but also why it matters.
Empathy, Neurochemistry, and the Dramatic Arc, by Paul J. Zak
Why do our palms sweat as we watch James Bond fight for his life? Paul Zak’s research is uncovering how stories shape our brains, tie strangers together, and move us to be more empathic, generous and connected. Part 1.
Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling, by Paul J. Zak
We found that character-driven stories consistently cause oxytocin synthesis. Viewers will literally bond with the characters and share their emotions, and after the movie ends, they are likely to continue mimicking the feelings and behaviors of those characters.