L.J. Shrum

A collection of essays on a variety of topics, from the psychology of persuasion in product placement to media effects and violence, reduction of exposure to diversity, and body dissatisfaction. Of particular interest to me was the chapter on "The Power of Fiction" by Melanie C. Green, Jennifer Garst, and Timothy C. Brock that reviews the relatively scant research on the psychology of reading fiction and looks at the processing of fictional versus "factual" information, the effect of "transportation" (i.e. being "lost in a book" versus being not so absorbed) and how that affects the acceptance of fictional narratives as truth. Though there's still work to be done, the authors conclude "it is clear that individuals regularly alter their real-world beliefs and attitudes in response to fictional communications" (173) and that the degree to which the reader is involved can affect the degree to which the narrative is accepted as true. "Our analysis confirms what censors have suspected for centuries - that fiction can be a powerful tool for shaping attitudes and opinions. Stories are especially influential when we become drawn into them - when our cognitive resources, our emotions, and our mental imagery faculties are engaged" (174).… (plus d'informations)