The Psychology of Stories
Child development through a narrative lens
We learn morals through fables and fairy tales, dedicate entire lives to scripture and binge-watch depictions of history and heartbreak; redemption and romance. Some theories even suggest that our consciousness is fundamentally a combination of stories that we perceive as reality. Are our memories accurate or just exaggerated versions of what really happened? Does the future pan out how we imagine, or is it just like a failed film ending prediction?
There is something innate about our relationship with stories, and a psychological understanding of it can be used as an effective child development strategy.
The evolutionary advantage of storytelling
The concept of storytelling is often credited for our evolutionary assent as a species, as it explains how our actions in the present are affected by the past and can impact the future, unlike other animals. As life is too short to make all the mistakes ourselves, stories give explanations through simple analogies like The Boy Who Cried Wolf, or profound chronicles of resentment and greed like Cain and Abel. Whether they are factual is irrelevant. They are true in the philosophical sense that human nature benefits from having a guide to effectively participating in the world.
Character building
Characters in a story develop in the same way our character develops over time. We encounter character-building moments of adversity, which we confront differently based on the characteristics we possess. Quite often, the difference between storybook heroes and villains is their response to pain. I.e. heroes - Batman the orphan - wants to prevent others from feeling the same pain vs villains - The Joker who was abused - “just want to see the world burn”. We idolise the hero because, psychologically, character traits like resilience, courage and selflessness, defeat resentment, cruelty and greed in the real world as well as books.
A narrative approach to child development
Children (and adults) mimic behaviour: parents; social groups; and those who are at the pinnacle of a category they subconsciously value. Whether it’s Hermione or Ronaldo, children gravitate towards certain personalities, which can be used as analogies to teach beneficial skills.
Ronaldo succeeded through disciplined practice, and Hermione’s problem-solving skills are due to her diligent studying.
Character invention can be used to approach anxiety-inducing situations, convincing ourselves we have traits we may not naturally possess, in the same way we psych ourselves up to jump off the highest diving board.
How to be a maths machine or a top trainer - discuss the mental traits and body language needed to be this character. Then practice.
There is an idea that depression can develop when we are, subconsciously, unhappy with the character that we have become in our own story.
How would you view yourself as a character in a film? Would you look up to or be inspired by them, or would you be shouting at them to get a grip?
If you were to write the next chapter of your character’s story, what aspects of their life would you change, and how would they achieve that?
Growing up I dismissed religion as nonsense, but now I appreciate how the stories can be used to give children moral and ethical examples, in the same way that the Greek Myths or The Lion King can. As adults, we need to lead by example, being inspired by and learning from worthwhile characters like Marcus Aurelius or Nelson Mandela. Instead, we listen to corrupt politicians, inauthentic actors and the Kardashians.
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