Why our brains love stories
Stories have been central to our survival as a species. Now we know more about their power than ever before…
“There is no greater power on this earth than story”
Libba Bray, author
Humans have always been storytellers.
In fact, stories are hard-wired into our brains - they are how we make sense of the world and make sense of our place in it. Stories are how, for generations, we have been able to actually picture the future and to prepare for it.
For our ancestors, exchanging stories was the most effective way to transfer lifesaving information from one person to one another. They did this verbally and visually (think about ancient rock art). Given the importance of this information, they learned to pay attention to the stories that warned of the dangers of poisonous fruits or shared the location of water in the dry season. These stories transferred knowledge and skills from one generation to the next, ensuring the survival of the species.
Neuroscience of stories
Brain science shows us that when a good story captivates us, numerous chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, are released. Our bodies require neurotransmitters to function and they impact areas such as consciousness, cognition, attention and emotion. When we are engaged in a story, neuroscience has proven that dopamine, cortisol and oxytocin are released. But why is this important? Well, dopamine, which helps to regulate our emotional responses, causes our concentration and interest to heighten, keeping us engaged. If we are trying to make a point stick, cortisol assists with our formulating memories. When it comes to creating deeper connections with others, it’s over to oxytocin, which is associated with empathy, an important element in building, deepening or maintaining relationships.
Biological reactions
Modern neuroscience shows an even deeper understanding of these biological reactions. We’ve now discovered that when we listen to a story, our brains process the information just like they process real life. This tells us that stories developed as a simulated learning experience, giving us a safe way of understanding how to deal with danger, without having to actually face it. If you think back to those poisonous berries, you can imagine how someone whose child fell critically ill after eating them, would share their emotional story enabling others in the community to learn from the experience without having to experience the ill effects. Of course, you could walk off, find the berries and discover the effects for yourself…but trusting the story would be most likely to have a better outcome for your survival.
Today's stories are often less about survival, but the power of stories to engage and educate us endures. In addition, our brains like stories because they cut through the noise, helping us to pay attention. Put simply, clear narratives cut through distractions, which is especially important in a world that shouts for our attention at every moment.
In his essay “The Science of Storytelling: What Listening to a Story Does to Our Brains”, Leo Widrich notes research that suggests when we hear a story, “not only are the language processing parts in our brain activated, but any other area in our brain that we would use when experiencing the events of the story are, too.” The use of sensory words, like ‘excited’ or ‘worried’ engage a listener’s sensory cortex, while action words, like ‘drive’ or ‘slam’ engage the motor cortex, all leading to a more connected and richer experience of the message. In short, he shares that the more a speaker conveys information in story form, the closer the listener’s understanding will be to what the speaker actually intended.
Neuroscientists are still debating these findings, but we know from our own experience that when we’re listening to a good story, a story rich in detail, expressive characters and full of metaphor, we tend to imagine ourselves in the same situation. Think back to a time when you were sharing scary stories with friends. Maybe you were around a campfire, shadows dancing around you and as you listen to the words of the storyteller weaving the tale, your heart rate increases, you feel goosebumps along your arms and suddenly, the hair on the back of your neck is standing on end. Even if you thought the story didn’t impact you, as you head back to your tent that night, were you warily watching the trees, listening for anything that might pounce? Were you primed to jump at the most mischievous of pranks?
Meaning-making
Perhaps most importantly, storytelling is central to meaning-making and sense-making in our world. It is through story that our minds form and examine our own truths and beliefs, challenging them and changing them at times of transition. Stories are how we discern how our truths and beliefs correlate with those of others. As we share our stories with others, we can provide them with a new perspective and a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. We can challenge, experiment and explore in a way that is natural to us as a species and supported by science.
Find out more about how you can explore your story on one of our Programmes.
Summary of key learning
Humans are hard-wired for stories.
Stories were important for human survival.
Neurotransmitters are released when we are engaged in a story.
