Lift Me Up by Looking Down: Social Comparison Effects of Narratives.

ABSTRACT: Stories are a powerful means to change recipients' views on themselves by being transported into the story world and by identifying with story characters. Previous studies showed that recipients temporarily change in line with a story and its characters (assimilation). Conversely, assimilation might be less likely when recipients are less identified with story protagonists or less transported into a story by comparing themselves with a story character. This may lead to changes, which are opposite to a story and its characters (contrast). In two experiments, we manipulated transportation and experience taking via two written reviews (Experiment 1; N = 164) and by varying the perspective of the story's narrator (Experiment 2; N = 79) of a short story about a negligent student.

SUBMITTER: Krause S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6200851 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature