Science of Narrative Transport in Fairy Tales
Chapter 1

The brain on once upon a time

Chapter 2

Earth's shared story blueprint

Chapter 3

The dark side of safety

Chapter 4

The math of memorable patterns

YOUR GOAL

Master of The secret chemistry of once upon a time

Ch 1 · The brain on once upon a time
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disney How scary stories function as evolutionary threat simulators

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disney The storytelling brain

We share a tale / Our brains align / We sync in time!

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When you watch someone eat in a story, your brain fires as if you are chewing.

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disney The cognitive science of the rule of three in human memory.

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Why scary stories act as simulators

disney Warm-toned graphics show Little Red Riding Hood facing a wolf in the forest.

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The chemical cocktail of narrative transport

disney Clean isometric glass and chrome vials display the chemical cocktail of narrative transport.

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Once Upon a Mind
BETA

disney Match fairy tale tropes to brain reactions to discover why these stories captivate us.

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Fun Fact

Brain mirroring: When you watch someone eat in a story, your brain's motor cortex fires as if you are chewing too.

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Glossary
oxytocin (noun)
A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and facilitates social bonding. In 2021, Brazilian scientists discovered that oral storytelling triggers the release of this hormone in hospitalized children.

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Gossip

Which fairy tale creature would you rather have as a pet?

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Quiz

Which chemical is released by the brain to focus attention during a tense story?

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disney The brain chemicals that make us care about fictional characters

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Quiz

According to Paul Zak's 2014 study, which hormone promotes empathy when we read about characters?

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Quiz

In cognitive science, what is the term for the feeling of being completely lost in a story's world?

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Quiz

Which brain region is activated when we read about a character running, mimicking the actual physical action?

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Quiz

What evolutionary theory suggests scary stories help us rehearse survival strategies safely?

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Quiz

What is the name of the brain synchronization phenomenon discovered by Uri Hasson in 2010?

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Quiz

What did the 2010 Princeton study find about the brains of a storyteller and a listener?

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Quiz

Why is the rule of three so common in fairy tales globally?

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