Empathy at the confluence of neuroscience and empirical literary studies

Abstract

The objective of this article is to review extant empirical studies of empathy in narrative reading in light of (i) contemporary literary theory, and (ii) neuroscientific studies of empathy, and to discuss how a closer interplay between neuroscience and literary studies may enhance our understanding of empathy in narrative reading. An introduction to some of the philosophical roots of empathy is followed by tracing its application in contemporary literary theory, in which scholars have pursued empathy with varying degrees of conceptual precision, often within the context of embodied/enactive cognition. The presentation of empirical literary studies of empathy is subsequently contextualized by an overview of psychological and neuroscientific aspects of empathy. Highlighting points of convergence and divergence, the discussion illustrates how findings of empirical literary studies align with recent neuroscientific research. The article concludes with some prospects for future empirical research, suggesting that digitization may contribute to advancing the scientific knowledge of empathy in narrative reading.

Virtual reality as a tool for promoting reading via enhanced narrative absorption and empathy

“…Current empathy theories and scales allow for a good distinction but, when considering fiction, more nuanced tools are needed to account for the various forms of perspective-taking prompted by different narrative modes, e.g., first-person or third-person narration (Lissa et al, 2016), goal-directed actions (Speer et al, 2009), and trust in the narrator (Archer & Finger, 2018). Moreover, besides emotional response and conscious mentalizing, another kind of empathic response particularly relevant for fictional narrative should be considered: embodied response (Burke et al, 2016). More broadly, the embodied and enactive activation due to reading fiction (Caracciolo, 2014;Sukalla et al, 2016) should be taken into account with respect to its convergence and dissonance with the embodied and enactive sense of presence in a visually presented virtual environment (Skarbez et al, 2017).…”

“…To address this research gap, the present study examined whether VR influences the reading experience, focusing on two often-researched concepts related to reading fiction: narrative absorption (Kuijpers et al, 2014) and empathy with the characters (Burke et al, 2016). Narrative absorption is an experiential state that can emerge while reading a fictional narrative text, viewing an audiovisual fictional narrative, or using an interactive narrative artefact, like video games.…”

“…Narrative absorption, a concept closely related to "transportation" (Green et al, 2004), "narrative engagement" (Busselle & Bilandzic, 2009), and "identification" (Tal-Or & Cohen, 2010), is characterized by heightened sense of focused attention, transportation into the fictional world, emotional engagement with characters, and activated mental imagery (Kuijpers et al, 2014). Empathy can be defined as a process by which we understand and share (real and fictional) others' mental states (Burke et al, 2016;Shen, 2010). Both narrative absorption and empathy correlate positively with enjoyment (Busselle & Bilandzic, 2009;B.…”

“…Emotional engagement. The subdimension of emotional engagement is closely related to empathy (Burke et al, 2016;Shen, 2010), but it has a narrower scope, referring to the relation readers have with characters: the state of having "feelings for or with characters, such as sympathy, and empathy, and identification" (Kuijpers et al, 2014, p. 93). Higher emotional engagement leads to higher overall narrative absorption.…”

What is it Like to be a Child? Childness in the Age of Neuroscience

“…Recent brain research demonstrates, albeit on a small scale and short term, that engaging with fiction enhances empathy and theory of mind; namely, our capacity to understand the thoughts and feelings of real and fictional people (e.g. Djikic et al, 2013;Kidd and Castano, 2013;Black and Barnes, 2015;Burke et al, 2016;Kidd et al, 2016). Psychologist Keith Oatley suggests that fiction also contributes to our social skills: "If fiction is the simulation of social worlds then, similar to people who improve their flying skills in a flight simulator, those who read fiction might improve their social skills" (2016, p. 619).…”