Summary of “How Movies Trick Your Brain Into Empathizing With Characters” by Greg Millers
Miller reported on a study done by Talma Hendler about How Movies Trick Your Brain into Empathizing With Characters. Hendler stated that a valuable way to observe brain activity while emotions waiver is by movies. During her research, Hendler found indication that their are two types of empathy; mental and embodied empathy. “Mental Empathy” (Hendler, 2014) is when one “steps outside of themselves” experiencing another person's thoughts or feelings. “Embodied Empathy” (Hendler, 2014) occurs spontaneously when something surprising happens which might trigger emotions. Both empathies can impact tremendously on the experience people have during films.
After reading Hendler’s study, I learned a lot about a persons brain activity while watching a movie. I loved learning about the different functions of the brain, and the jobs each section does. The article was very interesting and made me curious about what parts of my brain are being use during certain times throughout the day. I now am curious to know what feelings trigger specific sections of the brain.
Miller, G. (2014, September 2). How Movies Trick Your Brain into Empathizing with Characters. Retrieved September 2, 2014, from Wired website: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/cinema-science-empathizing-with-characters/
Sometimes I choose not to watch a movie, since I can get way too emotionally invested. I guess may not be alone. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteWow, very interesting it's very cool to finally be able to understand that there is a certain science behind one's emotional attachment to a character.
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