Why do humans so readily adopt fiction into our lives, and feel emotion about characters as though they were someone close to us in real life? I suggest it is driven by our social and tribal nature and our emotional and practical needs. Humans have the ability to create parasocial bonds, such as with leaders, heroes and media influencers, as well as AI and fictional characters.
In the 1990s, researchers found that adults interacting with a computer through text would treat it as though it had “feelings”. If we detect enough of the hallmarks of human interaction, we are likely to have an emotional response. Additionally, it may appeal to our emotions or desires, or on the other side, perhaps a desire for our compliance or cooperation.
Ideas that spread can unite us and on occasion give us an advantage as a species, such as technological innovations that promote our survival, or help us escape dangers. If a charismatic leader can unite us, or we feel our needs will be met by someone or something, the pool of social anxiety reduces in the short term – good for everyone in that regard, although it is easily reactivated. Most humans, even in this day and age, probably lean on social bonds, hierarchies and social contagion to decide who to trust and what to adopt, rather than only deciding after doing their own research and using scientific methods.
Fiction might not be real, but it is often sufficient to stimulate our emotions. When we can relate to a character, it can be self-affirming; we may see ourselves reflected, which gives us hope and courage to act in the world. It is also relatively safe compared with the stress and inequities of messy real-life relationships.
So, we often happily adopt fictions that may hold metaphorical truth for us, even when we are aware they are fictions. Richard HindChapel Haddlesey, North Yorkshire, UK I have been pondering a related question for some time: how can I harness this effect in my teaching to help my students get a better understanding of the subject in the context of the real world through the use of narratives? Angus Fletcher, in his book of the same name, explains “storythinking” (narrative cognition) and how it is fundamental to life itself.
Western academic traditions tend to promote logical cognition as the primary mode of thought, which can be traced back to the Greek philosophers (beginning with Socrates). Fletcher argues that this view is misleading because “narrative is how we experience the world”. Anil Seth’s concept of “controlled hallucination” appeals to my computer-scientist brain.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
