As I wrote in my last post, "Transmedia Storytelling: The Reemergence of Fundamentals," transmedia storytelling is very exciting, but it isn't new. It is the ultimate mashup of ancient traditions and new communications models. There have been stories and messages delivered across different media every since the Cro-Magnon man figured out that mineral pigments like iron oxide and black manganese could be applied to the sides of rocks and caves. Whether chronicling life, communicating with others, or creating an inspirational image, there were stories being told. Media technologies have come a long way since cave painting, and have so many new capabilities, that the orchestration of a story across multiple media platforms can be a complex creative endeavor. This is was a significant enough shift in application that in April 2010, the Producers Guild of America added a transmedia producer designation so the producers who expand a storyline onto three or more platforms can get credit.
Even with technology's increasingly sophisticated and jaw-dropping capabilities, the tools are becoming simultaneously more accessible and user-friendly. So much so, that the boundaries are blurring not just across technologies but also across the people who are creating, using, producing, augmenting, distributing, hacking, mashing, and every other ‘-ing' imaginable.
In spite of all the excitement, however, the human brain has been on a slower evolutionary trajectory than the technology. Our brains still respond to content by looking for the story to make sense out of the experience. No matter what the technology, the meaning starts in the brain. The transmedia producer may get the credit line, but the success of the transmedia effort rests on the resonance, authenticity, and richness created by the storyteller.
Stories are authentic human experiences. Stories leap-frog the technology and bring us to the core of the experience, as any good storyteller (transmedia or otherwise) knows. There are several psychological reasons why stories are so powerful.
- Stories have always been a primal form of communication. They are timeless links to ancient traditions, legends, archetypes, myths, and symbols. They connect us to a larger self and universal truths.
- Stories are about collaboration and connection. They transcend generations, they engage us through emotions, and they connect us to others. Through stories, we share passions, sadness, hardships, and joys. We share meaning and purpose. Stories are the common ground that allows people to communicate, overcoming our defenses and our differences. Stories allow us to understand ourselves better and to find our commonality with others.
- Stories are how we think. They are how we make meaning of life. Call them schemas, scripts, cognitive maps, mental models, metaphors, or narratives. Stories are how we explain how things work, how we make decisions, how we justify our decisions, how we persuade others, how we understand our place in the world, create our identities, and define and teach social values.
- Stories provide order. Humans seek certainty and narrative structure is familiar, predictable, and comforting. Within the context of the story arc, we can withstand intense emotions because we know that resolution follows the conflict. We can experience with a safety net.
- Stories are how we are wired. Stores take place in the imagination. To the human brain, imagined experiences are processed the same as real experiences. Stories create genuine emotions, presence (the sense of being somewhere), and behavioral responses.
- Stories are the pathway to engaging our right brain and triggering our imagination. By engaging our imagination, we become participants in the narrative. We can step out of our own shoes, see differently, and increase our empathy for others. Through imagination, we tap into creativity that is the foundation of innovation, self-discovery, and change.
Social media technologies have created a demand for fundamentals: authenticity, participation, and engagement. Special effects and funny Super Bowl ads are fine, but they are expensive one-offs if they do not touch the core of experience. I don't care how you calculate, that's not going to get you a very good ROI. When organizations, causes, brands or individuals identify and develop a core story, they create and display authentic meaning and purpose that others can believe, participate with, and share. This is the basis for cultural and social change. This is a skill worth learning.
FAQs
Stories create genuine emotions, presence (the sense of being somewhere), and behavioral responses. Stories are the pathway to engaging our right brain and triggering our imagination. By engaging our imagination, we become participants in the narrative.
What is the storytelling theory of psychology? ›
In narrative psychology, a person's life story becomes a form of identity as how they choose to reflect on, integrate and tell the facts and events of their life not only reflects, but also shapes, who they are.
Why is storytelling so powerful? ›
Stories appeal to our senses and our emotions, not only drawing our attention more easily, but also leaving an impact on us as audiences. This makes storytelling powerful in delivering any message. If you deliver a story right, as evidenced throughout history, it might last a lifetime.
What is the therapeutic power of storytelling? ›
Storytelling's power extends beyond individual therapy sessions. Listening to others' stories is equally therapeutic, fostering empathy and connection. Active listening creates a space where people feel heard and understood, reinforcing their sense of self-worth.
What happens to the brain during storytelling? ›
The first is that the neural activity in our brain increases fivefold. Stories illuminate the city of our mind. Essentially our brains run on electrical pulses, and when we hear stories our brains light up. Neuroscientists have this saying that neurons that fire together, wire together.
Why is storytelling important in psychology? ›
In children, storytelling provides many psychological and educational benefits, such as enhanced imagination to help visualize spoken words, improved vocabulary, and more refined communication skills.
What does Vygotsky say about storytelling? ›
Vygotsky believes that imagination feeds the creativity which gives humans the drive to invent and to change their current circ*mstances. The brain of the sedentary children listening to stories is actually working frantically and learning to think.
How do you use psychology in storytelling? ›
Emotions are essential for persuasion, because they affect how people perceive, process, and remember information. Stories can trigger emotions by creating empathy, suspense, surprise, or satisfaction. To use emotions effectively, you need to know your audience and their values, goals, and pain points.
What is storytelling in therapy? ›
This form of Storytelling Therapy may involve delving into the client's unconscious, dreams, and memories of past formative experiences. The client and therapist may ask such questions as: What happened in the client's past? How did it feel? What did it feel like? What was it like?
What are 3 benefits of story telling? ›
Promote a feeling of well-being, fun and relaxation.
- Increase children's willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings.
- Encourage active participation.
- Increase verbal proficiency.
- Encourage use of imagination and creativity.
- Encourage cooperation between students.
- Enhance listening skills.
Being a great storyteller isn't about grand tales or extraordinary characters. It's about infusing every conversation with a little presentation magic. Think about the characters in your stories—make them interesting, give them unique voices. Add elements of mystery and conflict to keep your listeners hooked.
Why storytelling is important to human beings? ›
Because stories create an emotional connection, we can gain a deeper understanding of other people's experiences. That not only helps us to understand their lives but allows us to take the lessons they have learned and apply it to our own.
Why are stories healing? ›
Honest storytelling can be an incredibly powerful tool for healing and personal growth. By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and share our stories with others, we create a space for ourselves where we can process our emotions, deepen our connections with others, and find a greater sense of community and belonging.
What are the physical benefits of storytelling? ›
Telling stories has been proven to lower blood pressure. Whether you tell a story to a friend, write one down, or even just recall an anecdote from your past, storytelling can lead to better health. If you're interested in lowering your blood pressure, consider incorporating oral storytelling into your daily routine.
What is the value of storytelling for mental health? ›
By sharing our stories, we can foster a sense of empathy.
We understand and grow. By connecting with others, we create more opportunities to find support when needed. Ultimately, this sense of connection helps us feel seen and valued, which increases self-confidence and self-worth in the process.
What does brain science tell us about the power of storytelling? ›
Stories allow us to simulate social experience even when we are alone. Brain scans show that hearing vivid sensory details activates the same regions that would light up if actually experiencing the event first-hand. This neural mirroring helps create empathy and understanding.
Why is storytelling important in therapy? ›
A good story can foster connection and insight, convey healing or empowering metaphors, and activate a client's resilience, imagination, and creativity. When a story strikes the right chord, it can shift a client's perspective and open new ways of thinking and seeing.
What are the cognitive benefits of storytelling? ›
Cognitive Effect
Both appear to improve through personal and autobiographical storytelling. As an act of creativity, it's not all that surprising that our brains benefit from telling stories. They challenge us to remember details, be succinct, develop characters and experience emotions in a variety of ways.
