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Chapter 12. Absorption and meaningfulness

Examining the relationship between eudaimonic media use and engagement
  • Mary Beth Oliver , Arienne Ferchaud , Chun Yang , Yan Huang✝ and Erica Bailey
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Narrative Absorption
This chapter is in the book Narrative Absorption

Abstract

Recent scholarship has begun to theorize “eudaimonic” media gratifications – gratifications regarding meaningfulness, including thoughts about the human condition, human values, and questions of virtue. In this chapter, we examine the intersection of narrative absorption and eudaimonic gratifications from a variety of vantage points. First, we provide a brief discussion of how we are using these two concepts. Second, we consider eudaimonic motivations as trait-like and state-like measures that are used to describe viewers’ use of media in their search for meaning, and how this motivation heightens the likelihood of absorption during subsequent viewing. Third, we explore theoretical and conceptual accounts of how absorption into narrative worlds may ultimately serve to satisfy eudaimonic goals, resulting in feelings of heightened well-being. Finally, we will outline ideas for how future scholarship may account for evolving technologies in the examination of these relationships.

Abstract

Recent scholarship has begun to theorize “eudaimonic” media gratifications – gratifications regarding meaningfulness, including thoughts about the human condition, human values, and questions of virtue. In this chapter, we examine the intersection of narrative absorption and eudaimonic gratifications from a variety of vantage points. First, we provide a brief discussion of how we are using these two concepts. Second, we consider eudaimonic motivations as trait-like and state-like measures that are used to describe viewers’ use of media in their search for meaning, and how this motivation heightens the likelihood of absorption during subsequent viewing. Third, we explore theoretical and conceptual accounts of how absorption into narrative worlds may ultimately serve to satisfy eudaimonic goals, resulting in feelings of heightened well-being. Finally, we will outline ideas for how future scholarship may account for evolving technologies in the examination of these relationships.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Narrative absorption 1
  5. Part I. Conceptualization of narrative absorption
  6. Chapter 1. Beyond metaphors and traditions 11
  7. Chapter 2. Towards a new understanding of absorbing reading experiences 29
  8. Chapter 3. Narrative persuasion 49
  9. Chapter 4. Immersion into narrative and poetic worlds 69
  10. Chapter 5. Into film 97
  11. Chapter 6. “Spellbound in darkness” 119
  12. Chapter 7. Antecedents of identification 133
  13. Part II. Empirical studies on narrative absorption
  14. Chapter 8. Identifying with in-game characters 157
  15. Chapter 9. The effect of suspense structure on felt suspense and narrative absorption in literature and film 177
  16. Chapter 10. Elaboration, emotion, and transportation 199
  17. Chapter 11. Forms of absorption that facilitate the aesthetic and explanatory effects of literary reading 217
  18. Part III. Outcomes of narrative absorption
  19. Chapter 12. Absorption and meaningfulness 253
  20. Chapter 13. The role of absorption processes in narrative health communication 271
  21. Chapter 14. Absorption in narrative fiction and its possible impact on social abilities 293
  22. Index 315
https://doi.org/10.1075/lal.27.13oli

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Narrative absorption 1
  5. Part I. Conceptualization of narrative absorption
  6. Chapter 1. Beyond metaphors and traditions 11
  7. Chapter 2. Towards a new understanding of absorbing reading experiences 29
  8. Chapter 3. Narrative persuasion 49
  9. Chapter 4. Immersion into narrative and poetic worlds 69
  10. Chapter 5. Into film 97
  11. Chapter 6. “Spellbound in darkness” 119
  12. Chapter 7. Antecedents of identification 133
  13. Part II. Empirical studies on narrative absorption
  14. Chapter 8. Identifying with in-game characters 157
  15. Chapter 9. The effect of suspense structure on felt suspense and narrative absorption in literature and film 177
  16. Chapter 10. Elaboration, emotion, and transportation 199
  17. Chapter 11. Forms of absorption that facilitate the aesthetic and explanatory effects of literary reading 217
  18. Part III. Outcomes of narrative absorption
  19. Chapter 12. Absorption and meaningfulness 253
  20. Chapter 13. The role of absorption processes in narrative health communication 271
  21. Chapter 14. Absorption in narrative fiction and its possible impact on social abilities 293
  22. Index 315
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