Storytelling’s impact reaches far and wide. It’s interwoven in the human condition, and has been for centuries.
The American psychologist Jerome Bruner once wrote, “We are storytelling creatures, and as children we acquire language to tell those stories that we have inside us.”
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Building on this idea, British novelist Dorris Lessing explains,”Humanity’s legacy of stories and storytelling is the most precious we have. All wisdom is in our stories and songs. A story is how we construct our experiences. At the very simplest, it can be: ‘He/she was born, lived, died.’ Probably that is the template of our stories – a beginning, middle, and end. This structure is in our minds.”
We think best in stories. It’s as simple as that. Let’s explore the psychology behind stories, the evolution of storytelling, and how narratives influence our society and culture.
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Psychology Behind Engaging Stories
Our brains resonate with stories. It’s just how we’re wired.
When we hear a narrative, our brain doesn’t just process language. It activates areas associated with lived experiences – making us participants in the tale. This explains our physiological reactions to stories – the quickened pulse during a thriller, or tears during a poignant saga.
That means storytelling is not merely a form of entertainment – although that’s how we may see it. Instead, it’s a primary mode of human thought.
Cognitive psychologists, like Bruner, tell us that storytelling is a lens through which we understand our world and our place in it. Stories allow us to navigate complex social landscapes.
Or, as Aleks Krotoski, the British-American journalist and social psychologist, tells us,”Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals and moral compasses.”
Cultural Impact of Storytelling
Our shared history proves that storytelling remains the bedrock of cultures worldwide. It’s a potent tool for preserving heritage, imparting wisdom, and nurturing a sense of belonging.
Stories serve as a bridge between the past and present. They carry forward the lessons and lore of previous generations.
When we think of why companies like Ancestry are so popular – it’s because we want in on that history. We want to know and understand the culture that preceded us, even if it’s just a glimpse.
In essence, we want to know the story! In his book, The Interpretation of Cultures, anthropologist and author Clifford Geertz writes, “Stories are cultural maps, and the teller of stories is a kind of culture broker. He [or she] takes things that could not be more localized, personal, and ephemeral and transmutes them into the stuff of which our sense of the world is made.”
Stories help us make sense of our past. We also plug into an ongoing story of existing cultures, countries, towns, neighborhoods, workplaces, and our own families. It’s our framework of understanding and relating to others.
Democratization of Storytelling in the Digital Age
Our digital age ushered in a new era of storytelling. Digital platforms have transformed the way stories are created, shared, and consumed.
As author Neil Gaiman explains, “In the digital age, stories are more important than ever before. They help us to connect with each other, to understand the world around us, and to make sense of our own experiences.”
Today, anyone with a smartphone or internet access can share their narrative with the world. Think about that! What would authors and creators from the 1800’s given to market their work to the entire world? That’s the advantage we have in the 21st century.
Brene Brown, the research professor and author, tells us that “the internet has made storytelling more democratic and inclusive than ever before. Anyone with a story to tell can now reach a global audience.”
Interactive storytelling, multimedia narratives, and social media have expanded the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Great examples for Spaces on X and LinkedIn Live. The ability to share your stories and lesson has never been easy. Open up and the app on your smartphone and anyone with an internet connection can hear you speak. The possibilities to bring other people into your narrative are endless.
This shift opened the doors for many storytellers. We simply didn’t have this level of access to a global audience before. It highlights the adaptability of storytelling and its enduring relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Influence of Storytelling in Modern Society
If you think about it, storytelling wields significant influence in our society today. It shapes our understanding of the world, influencing everything from individual beliefs to public policy.
Consider storytelling’s mark on the following areas:
- Marketing: Compelling stories drive brand loyalty and consumer engagement.
- Education: Narratives make learning more relatable and memorable.
- Socially: Stories can be powerful tools for advocacy and change, fostering communal support and mutual understanding.
Stories give everyone the chance to share their unique voice. The pervasive influence of storytelling underscores its role as a fundamental building block of human society.
Let’s explore a few key areas – neuroscience and innovation – and how they influence modern day stories.
Read more: Business Storytelling: How To Engage, Persuade, and Inspire
Neuroscience’s Impact on Storytelling
The intersection of storytelling and neuroscience offers fascinating insights into why stories captivate us.
When we engage with a story, our brains don’t just passively process information. They actually embark on an emotional journey.
Uri Hasson, neuroscientist and author of The Neurocinematics of Emotion: Explorations into the Unconscious Mind explains, “When we engage in storytelling, we are activating the same parts of our brains that are activated when we experience real-life events.”
How and why does this happen? It’s partly due to the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, which play a role in emotional bonding and empathy.
Neuroimaging studies show that compelling narratives can synchronize listeners’ brain activity with the storyteller’s. This illustrates the deep connection that stories can forge.
Hasson backs this up saying, “When we listen to a story, our brains are hardwired to mirror the speaker’s brain activity. This is called neural coupling, and it’s why we can feel so emotionally invested in a story, as if we’re living it ourselves.”
Innovations in Modern Storytelling
Innovation in storytelling is constantly evolving, driven by technology and a changing audience landscape.
Today, storytellers are exploring new formats like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These provide audiences immersive experiences that blur the line between story and reality.
Director and producer J.J. Abrams tells us: “The future of storytelling is interactive. It’s about creating stories that the audience can participate in and influence.”
That interactive ability will only increase with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. Startup companies like Looking Glass give us all the opportunity to view and interact with 3D holograms and generative AI.
Consider the ongoing applications of this technology: car companies using it for design, NASA and medical schools using it for education, and game developers using it for more interactive video games. Once day, all of us will be storytelling via 3D holograms!
Conclusion: Impact of Storytelling
You can’t deny it: storytelling is a transformative force. Storytelling has the power to change minds, evoke empathy, and connect us across divides.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, the art of storytelling remains a vital tool for understanding, sharing, and shaping our collective human experience. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to touch hearts, open minds, and, ultimately, bring us closer together.
I’ll leave you with these words from famed author Octavia E. Butler: “Stories are the way we envision a better future.”