Narrative and social cognition: Bridging theory to neuroscientific evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4396/2025SFL16Keywords:
narrative, social cognition, theory of mind (ToM), self-narrative, electroencephalogram (EEG)Abstract
Narrative processing involves perspective-taking mechanisms that enable readers to infer characters’ complex emotional and social experiences, drawing on their ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings. A growing body of research has investigated the relationship between narrative and social cognition, with particular attention to the impact of narrative exposure on social capabilities. This line of research suggests that engagement with narrative can positively influence abilities such as Theory of Mind and empathy. This paper explores this relationship through a twofold approach. First, it provides a critical overview of the main theoretical approaches addressing the psychological and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying narrative processing. Second, it aims to bridge theory and empirical evidence by discussing recent behavioral and neuroscientific studies that investigate which specific narrative features may modulate social cognition. In particular, we focus on a recent line of electroencephalographic research showing that both reading emotionally engaging narratives and writing introspective self-narratives can modulate neural responses to socio-emotional stimuli associated with the understanding of others’ mental states. By highlighting the role of narrative in enhancing social cognition, this work points to potential implications for clinical practices, education, and overall well-being.
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