Self-Reflecting Or Role Taking

It has been shown that individuals connect on a cognitive and emotional basis with a fictional character because they are mentally transporting themselves. This could be defined as identifying with the character. The premise of this study was meant to identify if we are self-reflecting or role taking during this transportation process. A priming test followed by a survey consisting of some questions pertaining to the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was conducted to test whether individuals self-reflect or practice role taking while identifying with a character.

Individuals experience a mental transportation that takes place after the character has developed. Researchers agree that the development of the character draws us to empathize

with them more. This draws us to the conclusion that our theory of mind plays a role in this mental transportation because we have some level of understanding of what the character is going through. However, what can we say about this understanding and mental transportation? It is possible to draw lines and clarify the grey spaces that comes with mental transportation. Do individuals truly know what is going on when they are mentally transporting themselves? The idea that something is going on when people identify with a fictional character needs more depth to it.
The question that is being asked is, “Once we identify with a character after watching an empathetic scene play out, do most people empathize on the basis of reflecting on themselves as individuals, or do they bring themselves to feel like they are the character in terms of describing themselves in that moment?” Researchers of many academical journals have previously noted that our empathy for others increases after identifying with a fictional character because we are taking part in this mental transportation. However, is this increase of empathy the result of self-reflection after identifying with the character, or the result of actually putting yourself in their shoes (in this case, role taking)? Many may ask where these lines are drawn and do these two ideas intertwine. Based on experience and research, these results are two separate ideas, but one is followed by the other.