The Science of Storytelling

1. Stories are fundamental to human cognition and social behavior

Story is what brain does.

Evolutionary roots. Stories evolved as a crucial mechanism for human survival and cooperation. Language likely developed primarily to exchange social information and gossip within tribes. This allowed groups to establish norms, punish selfish behavior, and maintain cohesion.

Pervasive influence. Stories permeate every aspect of human life, from personal memories to cultural myths. They shape our understanding of the world, ourselves, and others. The human brain is essentially a "story processor" rather than a logic processor, constantly creating narratives to make sense of experiences and information.

Social function. Storytelling serves vital social purposes:

• Transmitting cultural values and knowledge
• Establishing group identity and boundaries
• Teaching moral lessons and appropriate behavior
• Fostering empathy and understanding of others
• Providing entertainment and emotional engagement

2. Change and curiosity drive compelling narratives

Unexpected change is a portal through which danger arrives to swipe at our throats. Paradoxically, however, change is also an opportunity.

Change as catalyst. Effective stories often begin with a moment of unexpected change that seizes the attention of both characters and audience. This change disrupts the status quo and forces characters to react, setting the plot in motion.

Curiosity as engine. Human brains are wired to be curious, constantly seeking to understand and predict their environment. Stories exploit this tendency by:

• Creating information gaps that readers/viewers want to fill
• Presenting puzzles or mysteries to be solved
• Introducing ambiguity or uncertainty about characters and events
• Gradually revealing information to maintain engagement

Balance and pacing. Skilled storytellers carefully control the flow of information and change, providing enough to maintain interest without overwhelming the audience or resolving tensions too quickly.

3. Our brains construct a hallucinated model of reality

The world we experience as 'out there' is actually a reconstruction of reality that is built inside our heads. It's an act of creation by the storytelling brain.

Neural simulation. The brain doesn't passively receive sensory information. Instead, it actively constructs a model of reality based on limited input and its own predictions. This process is similar to how we engage with stories, creating vivid mental simulations from words on a page or images on a screen.

Selective perception. Our brains filter and interpret information based on:

• Past experiences and memories
• Cultural conditioning
• Personal biases and beliefs
• Current goals and emotional states

This means that different people can perceive the same events or story in radically different ways.

Storytelling as reality-shaping. By understanding how the brain constructs reality, storytellers can more effectively create immersive narrative experiences. They can exploit the brain's tendency to fill in gaps, make associations, and emotionally engage with simulated realities.

4. Characters are defined by their flaws and sacred beliefs

The sacred flaw doesn't necessarily have to be fully in place at the story's start. But don't forget those protagonists were still damaged when we met them.

Core beliefs. Characters are shaped by deeply held beliefs about themselves and the world, often formed through traumatic or formative experiences. These "sacred flaws" become central to their identity and decision-making.

Conflict and growth. Compelling stories often challenge these core beliefs, forcing characters to confront their flaws and potentially change. This internal struggle drives character development and plot progression.

Key elements of character construction:

• Origin of the sacred flaw (backstory)
• How the flaw manifests in behavior and decision-making
• Benefits and costs of adhering to the flawed belief
• Potential for transformation or doubling down on the flaw

Relatability and depth. Well-crafted characters with specific flaws and beliefs feel more realistic and relatable to audiences. Their struggles and potential for growth create emotional investment in the story.

5. Storytelling operates on conscious and subconscious levels

Story operates on two levels. There are the dramatic changes that happen on the surface level, including all the physical action and dialogue. But then, beneath that, there are the changes that take place that involve the character's mind, especially their subconscious.

Dual narratives. Effective stories weave together external events (plot) with internal character development. The surface level provides action and concrete stakes, while the subconscious level explores deeper themes and character psychology.

Dramatic question. The core of many stories is the "dramatic question" – who is this character, really? This question is continually posed through challenges and choices, revealing different facets of the character's nature.

Techniques for exploring the subconscious level:

• Internal monologue and narration
• Symbolic events or objects
• Dreams and altered states of consciousness
• Flashbacks and memory
• Subtle changes in behavior or perspective

Reader engagement. By operating on both levels, stories invite readers/viewers to actively interpret and engage with the narrative, making connections and drawing insights beyond the surface plot.

6. Moral outrage and status play are key elements of storytelling

Moral outrage isn't the only primal social emotion that's responsible for the pleasure of storytelling. Evolutionary psychologists argue we have two wired-in ambitions: to get along with people, so they like us and consider us non-selfish members of the tribe, and also get ahead of them, so we're on top.

Evolutionary roots. Our brains are wired to respond strongly to stories involving moral transgressions and shifts in social status. These instincts evolved to help maintain group cohesion and individual survival in tribal settings.

Moral dimension. Stories often tap into our sense of right and wrong, creating:

• Clear heroes and villains
• Conflicts between selfish and selfless behavior
• Desires for justice or comeuppance
• Exploration of ethical dilemmas

Status dynamics. Many narratives revolve around characters seeking to improve or maintain their social standing. This can manifest as:

• Underdogs striving for recognition
• Power struggles and competition
• Fear of humiliation or loss of status
• Desire for respect, admiration, or love

Emotional engagement. By activating these primal social emotions, stories create powerful emotional responses in audiences, driving investment in characters and outcomes.

7. Goal-directed behavior and character transformation shape plots

Humans are built for story. When we push ourselves towards a tough yet meaningful goal, we thrive.

Fundamental drive. Goal-directed behavior is a core aspect of human psychology and storytelling. Characters pursuing clear objectives create narrative momentum and reader investment.

Transformation through pursuit. The process of working towards a goal often forces characters to confront their flaws, learn new skills, and potentially transform themselves. This character arc is central to many compelling stories.

Elements of effective goal-driven narratives:

• Clear initial desire or objective
• Obstacles and setbacks
• Internal conflicts and doubts
• Sacrifices and difficult choices
• Moments of growth or realization
• Ultimate success or failure (with consequences)

Meaning and purpose. Stories that depict characters striving for meaningful goals tap into our own desires for purpose and achievement. This creates a powerful resonance with audiences.

8. Effective stories balance multiple layers of change

An efficient and immersive plot is one in which change is constant and taking place on many layers in harmony, with every new movement pushing the intertwined characters relentlessly towards their conclusions.

Constant evolution. Compelling stories maintain a sense of forward momentum through consistent change. This applies not only to plot events but also to character development, relationships, and reader understanding.

Layered complexity. Change can occur simultaneously across multiple dimensions:

• External plot events
• Character psychology and beliefs
• Interpersonal dynamics
• Reader/viewer knowledge and perspective
• Thematic exploration

Harmony and tension. Skilled storytellers orchestrate these layers of change to create both harmony (satisfying progressions) and tension (conflicting developments) that drive the narrative forward.

Pacing and revelation. The rate and timing of change across different layers can be manipulated to create suspense, surprise, or emotional impact at key moments in the story.

9. Endings provide resolution to the "dramatic question"

Who is this person? This is the question all stories ask.

Core mystery. Throughout a story, audiences are continually asking "Who is this character, really?" The ending should provide a satisfying answer to this dramatic question.

Types of resolution:

• Transformation: The character fundamentally changes
• Affirmation: The character's true nature is revealed or embraced
• Tragedy: The character fails to change or makes the wrong choice
• Ambiguity: The question is deliberately left open-ended

Control and meaning. Endings often revolve around whether characters gain control over their lives and find meaning. This reflects our own desires for agency and purpose.

Emotional impact. A well-crafted ending resonates emotionally by tying together the various threads of character development, plot, and theme. It leaves the audience with a sense of completion or new understanding.

10. Stories have the power to change beliefs and create empathy

Story, then, is both tribal propaganda and the cure for tribal propaganda.

Belief modification. When we are deeply engaged in a story (a state called "transportation"), our beliefs and attitudes become more susceptible to influence. This effect can persist beyond the immediate experience of the story.

Empathy building. Stories allow us to temporarily inhabit the minds and experiences of others, fostering understanding and emotional connection across different perspectives.

The power of storytelling:

• Challenges preconceptions and biases
• Provides vicarious experiences of unfamiliar situations
• Humanizes complex issues or "othered" groups
• Creates shared cultural touchstones and references

Responsibility of storytellers. Given this power, storytellers have an ethical responsibility to consider the potential impact of their narratives on audiences and society.

Last updated: January 23, 2025