Science stuff

Since we've established (quite thoroughly) that reading fiction does in fact stimulate the brain, another aspect (quite positive) is how we create foundations for ourselves and others by creating and reading fiction. We all grew up listening to or reading stories that promote ethics, morals, and themes (even in historical narratives we read in school). These pieces of our humanity have been around for a long time. And they are kept alive through literature. Common and recurring themes create the basis of human sociology (social behavior, social relationships, social interactions, and cultural aspects) that we have summarily accepted as normal. These stories all confirm deeply internal practices and ideals that we have grown up with.

Historically, stories were told as warnings, a transmitting of knowledge, or imparting of moral values. It was a way of creating social cohesion and fostering relationships. That is still what we do in literature today. In some cases, new ideologies are introduced and are denied due to sociological tenets that been accepted into society, or drastically new ideas are accepted and further our social evolution. Today, we reflect on the values we were taught in fairy tales or stories as kids, and the narratives we read help shape our perspectives, and the characters we interact with help us understand our own personality.

Some idea of what you read as a child still floats around in your brain. Every once in a while, I think of Pinkalicious and how she ate so many pink cupcakes she turned pink (it's basically the Lima Bean book, but this book is almost ENTIRELY pink, very fun for a 6 year old princess-wanna-be). It is a lesson in moderation that sticks to the corner of my brain. I only read it once, but the message and the details still remain. Another example could be all the Disney princess movies that came out in the 1940s-70s, they all focused on kindness and gentleness in women. When my parents told me to act like a princess, I would talk quietly and collectedly and sit up straight and cross my ankles. These themes and messages stuck to me. To deliberately go against some of these messages feels strange. I see videos of people who refuse to adhere to social norms, and go them, but when I try it feels very strange. I struggle with it sometimes, to be true to myself while not going against what I've been taught. I fear I lack individualism sometimes; I rely on known practices and concepts rather than create my own.

The Science of Storytelling: How Fiction Shapes the Mind | Psychology Today