Question

“the moral lessons of fiction” adapted from an article by jonathan gottschall april 29, 2012
is fiction good for us? we spend huge chunks of our lives immersed in novels, films, tv shows, and other forms of fiction. some see this as a positive thing, arguing that made - up stories develop our mental and moral development (or how we are able to distinguish between right and wrong). but others have argued that fiction is mentally and ethically damaging and has a negative effect on our thinking and our morals. it’s an ancient question: does fiction build the morality of individuals and societies, or does it break it down?
recently, we’ve only been able to guess about the actual psychological effects of fiction on individuals and society. these questions about the relationship between morality and fiction have been addressed by newer research in psychology to help provide more evidence. research consistently shows that fiction does mold us. the more deeply we are cast under a story’s spell, the stronger its influence. in fact, fiction seems to be more effective at changing beliefs than nonfiction, which is designed to persuade through argument and evidence. studies show that when we read nonfiction, we read with our shields up. we are critical and skeptical. but when we are absorbed in a story, we drop our intellectual guard. we are moved emotionally, and this seems to make us rubbery and easy to shape in terms of our mindset, thought processes, ideas, and outlook.
perhaps the most impressive finding is just how fiction shapes us: mainly for the better, not for the worse. fiction enhances our ability to understand other people; it promotes a deep morality that cuts across religious and political beliefs. more peculiarly, fiction doesn’t seem to warp or distort our sense of reality. they make us believe a lie: that the world is more morally right and fair than it is. believing that lie has important effects for society; it may even explain why humans tell stories in the first place.
it’s hard to see why social critics have often been concerned about fiction. we spend a huge amount of time lost in stories; the average american spending four hours per day watching television alone.
if the sheer time investment were not enough, there’s the content. since fiction’s beginnings, morally repulsive behavior has been a staple of the stories we tell. throughout time, the most popular stories have often featured the most unpleasant subject matter (greek and shakespearean tragedies up to breaking bad and criminal minds). fiction’s obsession with wickedness and immoral behavior has led to people speaking out against plays, novels, comic books, and tv for destroying values and corrupting youth.
but it’s clear that these stories really can change our views. psychologist raymond mar wrote that research shows a reader’s attitudes often changes to align with ideas expressed in fictional stories. for example, studies reliably show that when we watch a tv show

1. what does jonathan gottschall say about the connection between stories and human behavior?
2. according to the article, how can fiction help people learn about morals?
3. why does gottschall believe stories are important for understanding right and wrong?
4. what example does gottschall give to show how stories can teach us lessons?
5. how does gottschall explain the way fiction affects the way we think about other people?

Explanation:

1. Gottschall states fiction molds human behavior; deeper story immersion strengthens its influence, with research showing it changes views to align with fictional ideas.
2. Fiction helps by enhancing understanding of others and promoting deep morality across religious/political beliefs.
3. He believes stories are important as research shows fiction mainly shapes morality for the better, aiding understanding of right/wrong.
4. The example given is studies showing TV show viewing leads to viewers' views aligning with ideas in the fictional stories.
5. Fiction affects thinking about others by enhancing the ability to understand them.

Answer:

1. Jonathan Gottschall says stories mold human behavior, with deeper immersion in a story leading to stronger influence, and research showing readers' views often align with ideas in fictional stories.
2. Fiction helps people learn about morals by enhancing their ability to understand other people and promoting a deep morality that cuts across religious and political beliefs.
3. Gottschall believes stories are important for understanding right and wrong because research shows fiction mainly shapes morality for the better.
4. Gottschall gives the example of studies showing that when people watch a TV show, their views often change to align with ideas expressed in the fictional stories.
5. Gottschall explains that fiction affects the way we think about other people by enhancing our ability to understand them.