How do movies create empathy?
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Movies create empathy primarily through storytelling and visual techniques that allow viewers to experience different perspectives and emotions, effectively walking in another person's shoes. According to and , movies are considered one of the most effective tools in history for fostering empathy. This is achieved by enabling audiences to immerse themselves in the lives of the characters and understand their circumstances and emotions, thereby humanizing them 1.
also highlights the empathic nature of movies, emphasizing that the ability to empathize with characters—even those completely different from oneself—is a testament to the universal power of cinema 2.
Furthermore, discusses how filmmaking techniques like close-ups allow audiences to connect emotionally with characters by looking into their eyes, which he describes as a window into the soul. This connection is heightened by the narrative structure that draws audiences into the characters' journeys, amplifying their emotional responses 3.
Additionally, the use of mirror neurons, as explained by and , facilitates an involuntary empathetic response when viewers watch actors experiencing emotions on screen, making the audience feel these emotions as if they were their own 4.
Overall, the creation of empathy in movies involves a combination of narrative depth, visual intimacy, and neurobiological engagement that together draw viewers into the emotional life of the characters.
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