What is narrative distancing?

Narrative distancing refers to the psychological phenomenon where an individual maintains a certain distance or separation between themselves and the events of a story or situation they are observing, particularly in media like movies or stories. It involves the ability to distinguish between one's own emotions and experiences and those depicted in the narrative.

Andrew Huberman discusses how people vary in their level of narrative distancing when engaging with films or other storytelling mediums. Some people might react viscerally to scenes of happiness or violence, essentially mimicking the emotions and reactions of the characters they are watching. This indicates a low level of narrative distancing, where the boundary between the viewer's emotions and the emotional content of the narrative is thin. Conversely, individuals with high narrative distancing are able to view such scenes without experiencing an intense emotional response, maintaining a clear separation between themselves and the characters' experiences. This variance often ties back to one's personal experiences and upbringing, influencing how they emotionally engage with narratives (1).

Essentially, narrative distancing is a spectrum where an individual's responsiveness to narrative experiences can either be deeply immersive or detached, influencing how they perceive and are affected by stories.