The Science of Narrative (ft. Riley)

Curiosity Killed the Rat

This episode on curiosity killed the rat, join Kade, Matt and Riley for a deep dive into the science of Narrative. How are human brains wired to understand the world via narrative, and how is this used both for and against us? We break down the concept of “narrative” into the components of setting, characters, and plot, and chat about some of the research being done in all of these areas. We also have a look at some real-life examples of the ways narrative is being harnessed to influence our beliefs and behaviour, from marketing to propaganda. Kade then answers a listener question about the metal in our blood: can it rust?

As always, you can find us @curiosityrat on X, instagram, and facebook, and send your listener questions in to [e-mail]

We also have a Patreon! If you love our content and want to support us you can jump on to https://www.patreon.com/curiosityrat and become a patron. There is absolutely ZERO pressure but if you have as little as $1/month you can chuck it our way to help us out and show you appreciate all the time and effort that goes into making this show.

References:

Book I read: The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr

YouTube video I mention revealing this research is funded by the department of defence:

https://youtu.be/zGrf0LGn6Y4?si=baBvBsstRUV2z30L

Video trying to spin narrative to blame Palestinian for Holocaust:

https://youtu.be/f9HmkRYlVZw?si=qpUScFJhhXFI8lP1

The effect of perceived cost on taste (of wine) studies:

https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/1017

https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.0706929105

Social Influence Research (hotel towel example):

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/dont-throw-in-the-towel-use-social-influence-research

Social influence neuro:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222561008_Neural_mechanisms_of_social_influence

Anthropomorphism and Dehumanization:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4020342/

Dehumanisation neuroimaging:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6696401_Dehumanizing_the_Lowest_of_the_Low_Neuroimaging_Responses_to_Extreme_Out-Groups

Self-perception and behaviour:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6453731_The_spyglass_self_A_model_of_vicarious_self-perception

Narrative transportation:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287364520_Effects_of_narrative_transportation_on_persuasion_A_meta-analysis

Framing and support for addiction policies:

https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/publication/can-redirecting-values-increase-support-for-addiction-policies-and-related-issues/

“War of the ghosts” story:

https://online-learning-college.com/knowledge-hub/gcses/gcse-psychology-help/bartletts-war-of-the-ghosts/

Paper on neuromarketing / consumer neuroscience:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2377-13-13

Emotion and decision making:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24905597/

Coke and pepsi study:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473974/

Relating to Media Bias:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2023.128219

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17506352231178148

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41858380

https://fair.org/home/the-illusion-of-balance/?fbclid=IwAR02QPzY5_l3cg7NwKcZTKyr4ISHxt1PrWJiiWoumHT1nqlb1nAFlcU88rc

Propaganda rebranded as “Public Relations”:

https://theconversation.com/the-manipulation-of-the-american-mind-edward-bernays-and-the-birth-of-public-relations-44393