The Storytelling Brain: How Neuroscience Stories Help Bridge the Gap between Research and Society

Abstract

Active communication between researchers and society is necessary for the scientific community's involvement in developing sciencebased policies. This need is recognized by governmental and funding agencies that compel scientists to increase their public engagement and disseminate research findings in an accessible fashion. Storytelling techniques can help convey science by engaging people's imagination and emotions. Yet, many researchers are uncertain about how to approach scientific storytelling, or feel they lack the tools to undertake it. Here we explore some of the techniques intrinsic to crafting scientific narratives, as well as the reasons why scientific storytelling may be an optimal way of communicating research to nonspecialists. We also point out current communication gaps between science and society, particularly in the context of neurodiverse audiences and those that include neurological and psychiatric patients. Present shortcomings may turn into areas of synergy with the potential to link neuroscience education, research, and advocacy.

Psoriasis:The Skin I’m In. Development of a behaviour change tool to improve the care and lives of people with psoriasis

“…Similar detailed stigmatizing experiences were reported over 30 years ago 17 and in a recent study from Iran, 18 suggesting a widespread and ongoing societal lack of understanding of psoriasis. In addition, when both the general public and medical students were shown images of an individual with psoriasis they reported a desire to avoid the person in the image 19 . Fear of exclusion led to repeated skin checking and using clothing to hide psoriasis.…”

“…Stories are memorable, and can elicit an emotional response with release of oxytocin and dopamine, which drive memory and behaviour change 8 . Storytelling may be an effective way to communicate scientific findings to society and nonspecialists 19 . With the expansion of social media, film has become an increasingly effective way of reaching large audiences.…”

“…In addition, when both the general public and medical students were shown images of an individual with psoriasis they reported a desire to avoid the person in the image. 19 Fear of exclusion led to repeated skin checking and using clothing to hide psoriasis. Beliefs regarding rejection are associated with loneliness, low self-esteem and shame.…”

“…8 Storytelling may be an effective way to communicate scientific findings to society and nonspecialists. 19 With the expansion of social media, film has become an increasingly effective way of reaching large audiences. The short film Psoriasis: The Skin I'm In 14 communicates the findings of this study, and was the result of collaboration between dermatologists, a psychologist and storytellers/filmmakers.…”

Psychiatry’s Identity: Scope, Complexity, and Humility

“…Stories are crucial to optimal teaching and learning, and the brain's inclination to create narrative around ambiguous stimuli is well known [30]. In fact, there are intriguing suggestions from the literature that the default mode network (the brain at resting state), extending beyond the brain's specific linguistic regions, may be involved with narrative construction or processing [31]. And yet, we remain unable to translate the subjective experience of renewed agency and dignity that comes from narrative meaning with corresponding changes in brain circuit structure and function.…”