Narratives and understanding other people

• Published in: Research in drama education 2005-02, Vol.10 (1), p.15-25
• Main Author: Trzebiski, Jerzy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Curriculum subjects: programmes and methods; Data processing; Drama; Educational sciences; Emotions; Empathy; Foreign Countries; Medical Services; Narratives; Patients; Performing arts education; Psychological aspects; Social Life; Social psychology; Socioeconomic Background; Teaching methods
• ISSN: 1356-9783; 1470-112X
• DOI: 10.1080/13569780500053098

Presenting a story of an ill person, in comparison to a description of illness, as well as activating a narrative approach toward this person increased the probability in subjects of helping behaviour-in this case the promise of donations of bone marrow for leukaemia patients or willingness to spend time on soliciting money for other people's medical treatment. A higher general ability in narrative interpretation strengthens the above effects. Results of other studies may suggest the kind of factors responsible for these effects. The data show that narrative modes of social data processing increase the subject's internal coherency of the target person and their ability to visualise the target. It also increases the complexity of the subject's impression, as well as his/her feeling of the adequacy of that impression and the distinction of the target person from the social background. The data further suggest that the narrative mode results in greater attention to the person's motivation and emotions, better empathic understanding of this person as well as higher emotional involvement in this person's problems. Participants of drama interpret facts within a narrative framework and learn to use this framework. The above results therefore provide argument for the constructive role of drama experiences in personal and social life.