Narrative Absorption, by Hakemulder, Frank, Moniek M. Kuijpers, Ed S. Tan, Katalin Bálint and Miruna M. Doicaru (eds.)
on of a character’s emotions and perspective and adopting his or her goals. After carefully defin... more on of a character’s emotions and perspective and adopting his or her goals. After carefully defining identification, the chapter turns to a brief discussion of some of its consequences such as enjoyment, interpretation, moral disengagement and influences on the self. The chapter then provides a critical examination and synthesis of studies that examine the determinants of identification. Determinants include viewing context, narrative features, audience traits, character features and various aspects of similarity between characters and audiences. After reviewing these studies the chapter suggests some conclusions and insights into the nature of identification that can be gleaned from this literature.
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to test the impact of audience-character demographic similarity
on identification. In Study 1, sex and nationality, both traits
that were pretested to be important to participants’ self-identity,
were varied, but demographic similarity did not increase
perceived similarity, identification or persuasion. In Study 2,
age and city of residence, traits that were central to the
story, were varied, but again similarity on these demographic
traits had no effects. Given previous research, these were
surprising findings. The failure to find the expected effect of
demographic similarity on identification and its implications
for the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the
development of identification are discussed within the framework
of narrative response theory.
Following the review, new directions for research in this area are explicated. Finally, implications for both theory and message design are explored.
to test the impact of audience-character demographic similarity
on identification. In Study 1, sex and nationality, both traits
that were pretested to be important to participants’ self-identity,
were varied, but demographic similarity did not increase
perceived similarity, identification or persuasion. In Study 2,
age and city of residence, traits that were central to the
story, were varied, but again similarity on these demographic
traits had no effects. Given previous research, these were
surprising findings. The failure to find the expected effect of
demographic similarity on identification and its implications
for the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the
development of identification are discussed within the framework
of narrative response theory.
Following the review, new directions for research in this area are explicated. Finally, implications for both theory and message design are explored.