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In:Narrative Absorption
Edited by Frank Hakemulder, Moniek M. Kuijpers, Ed S. Tan, Katalin Bálint and Miruna M. Doicaru
[Linguistic Approaches to Literature 27] 2017
► pp. 133–153

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Chapter 7
Antecedents of identification

Character, text, and audiences

 | University of Haifa
 | University of Haifa
Published online: 9 November 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lal.27.08coh
Abstract
An important component of narrative involvement is identification, the taking on of a character’s emotions and perspective and adopting his or her goals. After carefully defining identification, the chapter turns to a brief discussion of some of its consequences such as enjoyment, interpretation, moral disengagement and influences on the self. The chapter then provides a critical examination and synthesis of studies that examine the determinants of identification. Determinants include viewing context, narrative features, audience traits, character features and various aspects of similarity between characters and audiences. After reviewing these studies the chapter suggests some conclusions and insights into the nature of identification that can be gleaned from this literature.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.What exactly is identification?
  • 3.Consequences of identification
    • 3.1Enjoyment
    • 3.2Interpretation
    • 3.3Moral disengagement
    • 3.4Influences on the self
  • 4.Differences between identification and other concepts
    • 4.1Parasocial interaction
    • 4.2Identification and transportation
  • 5.Antecedents of identification
    • 5.1Similarity
    • 5.2Character virtue
    • 5.3Textual features
      • 5.3.1Perspective
      • 5.3.2Vividness
    • 5.4Individual and contextual differences
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
References (63)
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