Cognitive narratology

Definition

Cognitive narratology is an approach that combines cognitive science and narrative theory to understand how audiences perceive and interpret stories. This perspective emphasizes the mental processes involved in storytelling, such as memory, attention, and imagination, highlighting how viewers construct meaning from cinematic narratives based on their cognitive frameworks.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive narratology seeks to understand how narrative structures influence audience perception and interpretation of films.
2. This approach investigates how cognitive processes like memory and attention affect viewers' emotional responses to storytelling.
3. It considers the role of cultural context and personal experiences in shaping how individuals relate to narratives.
4. Cognitive narratology often explores the interaction between viewer agency and narrative determinism, examining how much control audiences feel over their understanding of a story.
5. This field connects with other disciplines like psychology and linguistics to offer a comprehensive view of storytelling's impact on human cognition.

Review Questions

• How does cognitive narratology enhance our understanding of audience interpretation in films?
  • Cognitive narratology enhances our understanding of audience interpretation by focusing on the mental processes that influence how viewers engage with narratives. By examining elements like memory and attention, this approach reveals how individuals construct meaning from films based on their own cognitive frameworks. It helps us see that interpretation is not just about the story itself but also about the active role viewers play in making sense of it.
• Discuss the importance of cultural context in cognitive narratology and its effect on film interpretation.
  • Cultural context is crucial in cognitive narratology because it shapes viewers' perspectives and influences their emotional reactions to narratives. Different backgrounds can affect how individuals relate to characters, themes, and story arcs. By recognizing these differences, cognitive narratology helps explain why audiences may interpret the same film in varied ways based on their cultural experiences and societal norms.
• Evaluate how cognitive narratology integrates insights from other fields like psychology and linguistics to deepen our comprehension of narrative.
  • Cognitive narratology integrates insights from psychology and linguistics to create a holistic understanding of how narratives function. By incorporating psychological theories related to memory and emotion, it explores the intricate ways stories resonate with audiences on a personal level. Additionally, drawing from linguistic studies helps analyze how language constructs meaning within narratives, allowing for a richer analysis of filmic storytelling techniques and their effects on viewer cognition.

Related terms

Narrative structure: The framework that underlies the organization of a story, including its plot, characters, and sequence of events.

Cognitive engagement: The mental involvement of the audience in processing information, emotions, and themes presented in a narrative.

Empathy in film: The ability of viewers to connect emotionally with characters and situations depicted in a film, often influenced by narrative techniques.