In their respective articles, Mar and Oatley(2008) and Tan(2008) offer diverse insights into the significance of various forms of media. Although the articles take different approaches on this topic, with Mar and Oatley focusing on the function of fiction and Tan providing an overview of the entertainment experience, both articles shine a spotlight on the purpose of fiction and entertainment. In this essay, I’m going to discuss the main claims put forward by Mar and Oatley and then compare these views with those of Tan in relation to the social world and emotional effects of media on consumers.
We spend huge chunks of our lives immersed in various forms of fiction. Some see this as a negative thing, arguing that fiction is mentally and ethically
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The simulative experience that derives from narrative fiction encourages empathetic growth. Tan(2008) concurs with this saying how in a movie we feel fear or anger, although we are not actually involved in the movie. Fiction allows us to vividly imagine what it’s like to be another person and trains us to extend our understanding to other people. Fiction may help us learn to empathise with individuals with whom we have no personal experience. Similarly to how books may help those with autism to learn to socialise, stories such as ‘What’s Wrong With Timmy’ create a narrative for parents to teach their children about intellectual disabilities and why it is important to treat Timmy “like any other kid”(Shriver,2001). Research shows that extended contact via story reading is a powerful strategy to improve out-group attitudes. A study was conducted to test whether extended contact through reading ‘Harry Potter’ books improves attitudes toward stigmatised groups. In line with predictions, reading Harry Potter was positively associated with improved attitudes towards stigmatised