Narrative Approach and Mentalization

• Published in: Behavioral sciences 2023-12, Vol.13 (12), p.994
• Main Authors: Frolli, Alessandro, Cerciello, Francesco, Ciotola, Sonia, Ricci, Maria Carla, Esposito, Clara, Sica, Luigia Simona
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bruner, Jerome; Bruner, Jerome S; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Cultural heritage; Emotions; intervention; Knowledge; mentalization; narrative; Narratives; Social aspects; Storytelling; teaching
• ISSN: 2076-328X; 2076-328X
• DOI: 10.3390/bs13120994

The core focus of this research centered on the intricate relationship between mentalization, the fundamental mental process underlying social interactions, and the narrative approach proposed by Bruner. Mentalization, encompassing both implicit and explicit interpretations of one's and others' actions, plays a pivotal role in shaping the complexity of social interactions. Concurrently, the narrative approach, as elucidated by Bruner, serves as the primary interpretative and cognitive tool through which individuals derive meaning from their experiences. Narrative, in essence, empowers individuals to imbue their experiences with significance, constructing knowledge and enabling a reinterpretation of their lives by reconstructing the meanings attached to events. This intertwining of mentalization and the narrative approach is particularly salient, given their shared reliance on autobiographical narratives and the inference of mental states. In the context of this study, our primary objective was to explore how practical and theoretical activities, rooted in the re-elaboration of personal life information and events, could serve as a catalyst for enhancing mentalization skills. By engaging students in activities specifically designed to encourage the reinterpretation of their life experiences, we aimed to bolster their ability to infer mental states effectively. These enhanced mentalization skills, we hypothesized, form the foundational basis for executing complex educational tasks rooted in constructed teaching methodologies. In summary, this research serves as a pioneering exploration into the synergistic interrelation of mentalization and the narrative approach, offering valuable insights for educators and practitioners aiming to foster enhanced social cognition and enriched educational experiences.