Storytelling and the brain: A tool of human connection

Storytelling has been an integral part of human culture and communication from the beginning of human history. From ancient cave paintings to modern-day movies, the use of story narratives has always played a crucial role in conveying information, shaping beliefs, and connecting people. As technology and science have advanced, researchers have begun to delve into the profound connection between storytelling and the brain to understand the cognitive and emotional effects of narratives on the human psyche.

Neurological Responses to Stories

Oxytocin, a molecule that facilitates human connection and social interaction — found that narratives with a clear beginning, middle, and end, especially those that evoked strong emotional reactions, could result in the release of oxytocin (Zak, 2015). When the brain produces oxytocin, it enhances empathy, fostering a deeper connection with the story’s characters or message. Furthermore, stories stimulate the brain in ways that simple information presentation cannot. According to Mar (2011), when processing stories, the brain does not make a significant distinction between reading about an experience and encountering it in real life. As a result, neural activity increases in regions associated with understanding and experiencing the narrated situations.

Unlike basic information processing, which activates the language processing parts of the brain, storytelling engages broader brain regions. When processing descriptive passages, for instance, our sensory cortex can light up, making us feel as if we are experiencing the events of the story (Specht, 2014). This suggests that reading or listening to narratives activates regions of the brain responsible for processing real-life experiences. Moreover, stories, especially those that resonate with our beliefs or experiences, can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This makes narratives a powerful tool for retaining information (Bekinschtein et al., 2013).

Connection

Storytelling has a unique power to forge connections between individuals and groups. Gottschall (2012) argues that the human tendency to craft stories is a fundamental part of our evolution, enabling us to understand and connect with others. By placing ourselves in another’s shoes through a narrative, we can empathize with their emotions and perspectives, thereby fostering social cohesion. Stories also provide an emotional context to information, which aids in memory retention. Emotional events are often remembered more vividly and for more extended periods than non-emotional ones (Hamann, 2001). This highlights the power of storytelling in education, where embedding information within a narrative can make lessons more memorable.

The act of collective storytelling, where stories are shared within a community setting, fosters a sense of unity and belonging. These communal gatherings strengthen social bonds and offer mutual support. Through shared narratives, individuals find common ground, empathize with each other’s experiences, and work together to find solutions to communal challenges (Kirmayer, 2007). Through stories, individuals are reminded of their cultural roots, beliefs, and the wisdom of their ancestors. This reinforcement of cultural identity serves as a protective factor against external stresses and challenges. A strong sense of identity can provide individuals with resilience and a sense of belonging, both crucial components of mental and emotional well-being (Wexler, 2014). Narratives allow for reflection, giving voice to pain and suffering, and, in the process, fostering emotional release and healing (Duran, 2006).

Storytelling is not merely an artistic or cultural expression but a powerful tool that engages the human brain at multiple levels. From forging emotional and social connections to enhancing memory and empathy, narratives tap into our neural pathways in profound ways, influencing both cognition and emotion. As research continues to unveil the intricate dance between the brain and storytelling, it underscores the indispensable role of narratives in shaping human experience.

References

Bekinschtein, P., Kent, B. A., Oomen, C. A., Clemenson, G. D., Gage, F. H., Saksida, L. M., & Bussey, T. J. (2013). BDNF in the dentate gyrus is required for consolidation of “pattern-separated” memories. Cell Reports, 5(3), 759–768.

Duran, E. (2006). Healing the soul wound: Counseling with American Indians and other native peoples. Teachers College Press.

Gottschall, J. (2012). The Storytelling Animal: How stories make us human. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Hamann, S. (2001). Cognitive and neural mechanisms of emotional memory. Trends in cognitive sciences, 5(9), 394–400.

Kirmayer, L. J., Brass, G. M., & Tait, C. L. (2007). The mental health of Aboriginal peoples: Transformations of identity and community. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(6), 373–384.

Mar, R. A. (2011). The neural bases of social cognition and story comprehension. Annual review of psychology, 62, 103–134.

Specht, K. (2014). Neuronal basis of speech comprehension. Hearing research, 307, 121–135.

Zak, P. J. (2015). Why inspiring stories make us react: The neuroscience of narrative. Cerebrum: the Dana forum on brain science, 2.

Wexler, L. (2014). Looking across three generations of Alaska Natives to explore how culture fosters indigenous resilience. Transcultural Psychiatry, 51(1), 73–92.