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Part of
Narrative Absorption
Edited by Frank Hakemulder, Moniek M. Kuijpers, Ed S. Tan, Katalin Bálint and Miruna M. Doicaru
[Linguistic Approaches to Literature 27] 2017
► pp. 49–67

Chapter 3
Narrative persuasion

Effects of transporting stories on attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors

| University at Buffalo (SUNY)
| University at Buffalo (SUNY)

Narrative transportation theory is used to explain the processes that occur when an individual experiences a story. Transportation refers to the feeling of being immersed in a narrative, a state of cognitive, affective, and mental imagery engagement. Transportation can occur across media for both factual and fictional stories, and is typically measured with a self-report scale (Green & Brock, 2000). Transportation is a key mechanism underlying narrative influence on recipients’ attitudes and beliefs. Narrative persuasion through transportation has been demonstrated with a variety of topics, including health, social issues, and consumer products. Transportation theory suggests several mechanisms to explain this phenomenon, including reduced counter arguing, connections with characters, heightened perceptions of realism, the formation of vivid mental imagery, and emotional engagement.

Keywords: narrative, narrative transportation, stories, persuasion, behavior change, engagement, transportation scale
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Measurement
      • 1.1.1Manipulation: Enhancing or reducing transportation
    • 1.2Individual differences
    • 1.3Related concepts
    • 1.4Transportation and belief change: Mechanisms
      • 1.4.1Reduced counter arguing
      • 1.4.2Connections with characters
      • 1.4.3Heightened perceptions of realism
      • 1.4.4Mental imagery
      • 1.4.5Emotional engagement
    • 1.5Outcomes
      • 1.5.1Beliefs and knowledge
      • 1.5.2Attitudes
      • 1.5.3Behavioral intention and behavior
      • 1.5.4Long-term effects
    • 1.6Self-relevant outcomes
      • 1.6.1Self-concept
      • 1.6.2Risk perceptions
  • 2.Future research
    • 2.1Restorative narratives
    • 2.2Interactive narratives
    • 2.3Multiple narratives
  • 3.Conclusion
  • References
Published online: 9 November 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lal.27.04fit
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