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Brief Breakdown:

Formative deadline:     - Wednesday 19, OR Thursday 20 May 2021.
- 3 minute presentation with visual examples.

Summative deadline:     - before 4pm on Monday 7 June 2021.
- Researched and Developed Dissertation proposal (aprox 2,000 words). Should be well researched and form a convincing plan for a Dissertation.
I need:
1. Lead Question
2. Proposal Overview (1,000 words)
3. Research Review (1,000 words).
4. Chapter Plan.
5. Ethics Check List.
6. Progress Map.

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What Next?

- Ground down a draft lead topic to work on, one with a decent amount of expansive non-bias sources to research from.
- Figure out how might be a good way to do primary research and secondary research for the lead question.
-  By the week after, have a presentation (3min) grounding down your solid idea draft backed up by research and directions to go forward from there.
- Why is this topic really important?
- Where will you go from there?

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Rough Ideas:

- Cultural Appropriation, its misuse and people's oversensetivity and guarding of "their culture".
- How a culture can be so widespread and influencial to other cultures in histroy, vice versa.
- Suspension of Disbelief and how one attaches their person to it. (How some people have incredibly overwhelming empathy to the point where it can be harmful, how a person's empathy cannot tell between fiction and reality).
- Fantasy/Fiction and how connected to real life it can be. (Racism and stereotypes in the fantasy world. How do RPG players tackle this and still keep it strictly fantasy?)
- Endangered cultures. How colonisation completely ruined certain cultures. Where the largest opinion (or "social norm/view") in the room overtakes all others.
- The more you learn about a topic, the more you realise you don't know. One of the biggest problems people don't know they're doing when they're arguing about a topic. (Historical culture being one of many of those examples). "MODERN USE IS NOT HISTORICAL USE".

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Topics I Think Could Be Good Research:

- The mental state where ones over-empathy simply cannot tell the difference between fiction and reality, and why that might be? (and I don't just mean you cry at sad movies. No. There is a solid attachment a person can have where the borders between the two are non-existent to the point where that person could suffer more than just 'in the moment'.)

- How the themes within fiction and reality are really not all that different. (Racism, Poverty, Heirarchy, Politics. It is just their settings that change... why is this more enjoyable in fiction form than reality, when they're basically side-by-side?)

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Primary/Secondary Research Ideas:

Primary:
- Interviews with others. (From all perspectives).
- Being in the moment. (Watching a movie/Tv show, reading a book, watching a targeted advert, hearing someone elses story, music and their meaningful lyrics, sharing these moments with someone and talking about it).
- Personal Experience Documentation. (Journal entries, voice notes, discussion with others).
- Surveys (too easy).
- Observation; complete observer method, complete participant method, participant as observer method and observer as participant method.
- Focus Group; talk with an entire group about an experience.

Secondary:
- Ravensbourne Library.
- Google Scholar.
- Videos.
- Other articles and papers about the topic that someone else has made.
- Online Data.
- Books.

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For Two Weeks Time:

- Talk with people, organise primary research.
- Find online data about over-empathy and the merging of fiction and reality.
- Make a survey (?) to start, but then branch into organising interviews with people, one to one.
- Record questions and answers with people.
- Find online data about how common is it really to give in to total suspension of disbelief with or without over-empathy.
- Find online data about how over-empathy effects a person and why.

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The Formative deadline, May 19th:
- Completed: A 3 minute presentation with visual examples.
- I have made a multi-slide presentation exploring my potential ideas for the Summative assessment that includes forms of primary and secondary research as well as sources and visual examples.
- All that is left to complete for the Formative is to present it and receive feedback for it.

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Formative Assessment Feedback:

"This is a very detailed research project to date and I think you have some clear ideas of where the research can develop. At this stage I think you need to establish a lead question that will drive the research and help you develop a strategy for  guiding your dissertation. At the moment something like 'How does fiction (or RPG) help us to develop emotions such as empathy/ sympathy?'. This seems to be your main line of thought. I think the examples you have given show an advanced stage in your research and specifics such as transportation theory could form the basis of your dissertation. Perhaps the work of Mark Prensky may help. http://marcprenskyarchive.com/writings/ ."

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Ethics and Morals

Ethics - Refers to the rules and regulation a particular social contuct stands by. (e.g, no smoking areas).

Morals - Relative to each individual whether they think something is right or wrong (e.g, whether it's okay to vape or not).

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Research Involving Participants

Informed consent is a voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is not merely a form that is signed but also a process, in which the subject has understanding of the research and its risks.

- How will they be invited to participate?
- How will they give their consent?
- Will they understand what is being asked of them and why?
- Will the study be actively deceiving them?
- Will drugs or placebos be given to them?
- Does the study risk their health in any way?

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Data

- How will data be recorded?
- How will data be stored and for how long?
- Will participants know how long the data will be kept?
- Will they understand what the data is being used for and the legal basis that is being relied upon for this?
- Will they know how to complain if they wish to do so?
- Will research involve the sharing of data or confindential information?
- Will they know who is leading the research and how to contact them?

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Lead Question and Threads

"How do fictional narratives help us develop emotions such as empathy and sympathy?"

- Look at the 'Transportation Theory'.
- Look at the work of Mark Prensky: http://marcprenskyarchive.com/writings/

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I have written a Volunteer Agreement Form:

-  I understand and give consent to the writer that my interview may be recorded both audio and video for the purpose of primary research for the dissertation assignment based on the lead question above.

-  I understand and consent that everything I say during the interview’s allocated time slot can be used as primary research for this dissertation.

-  I understand and consent that anything I say can be quoted word for word within this dissertation.

-  I am properly informed of what the topic requires me to talk about.

-  I have seen the interview questions prior to the recording time slot, and I feel comfortable answering them in any way I appropriately choose to.

-  I understand and agree that I am not in any physical or mental influence/danger while acting as a volunteer for the dissertation’s primary research.

-  I understand and agree that the recorded interview will be digitally stored for as long as it may be required to complete the dissertation.

-  I understand and agree that, after the writer has fully completed the dissertation, I may ask for the interview to be removed from storage without being required to give a reason.

-  I understand and agree that the writer will not use my interview for anything after this dissertation without my further consent.

-  I understand and agree that I hold contact details of the writer and I am able to discuss the agreement further.

-  I understand and agree that all of the above are legal uses of primary research being used within this dissertation assignment.

-  I have freely volunteered and by signing with my name below I accept all of the points above.

Volunteer Signed (type name):
Date Signed:

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I have written interview questions to ask to the volunteers:

1. How engrossed might you feel when watching a movie or reading a book or playing a video game. How might it change depending on your mood and interest in the narrative.
2. How important to you is a narrative that follows one or two characters closely within fiction?
3. Would you feel more attached and related to a character if the narrative only follows them, as opposed to a narrative that focuses on a larger, more global topic.
4. What does it take for you to be significantly emotionally attached to a single character? Would this depend on how like yourself these characters feel like and behave?
5. Do you find you're more attached to a character when they're in hardship as opposed to their happy moments?
6. Do you find you are more attached to a character the more you share in common or the powers or special qualities they might have? To what degree?
7. What do you look for in a character that you want to be emotionally attached to?
8. When you find that you can relate to an antagonist, what qualities might they have? Are they redeemable bad guys, maybe they have realistc or human motives? Powers?
9. How long might you find yourself being emotionally affected by any narrative after it's passed?
10. Do you feel that your commitment to a narrative affects you too much mentally?
11. How easily can you disconnect from fiction so that you can control your level of empathy or sympathy to identify and avoid a negative emotion?
12. Is your mood easily changed when you experience an emotional fictional narrative (whether it is sad or happy etc)?
13. Do you feel that fictional narratives can improve your empathy and sympathy in real situations?
14. In what ways and to what degree do you think fictional narratives are a positive impact on people living with any mental health condition(s)?
15. In what ways and to what degree might fictional narratives be a negative impact on people living with any mental health condition(s)?

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July 2021

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July 2021

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July 2021

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July 2021

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July 2021

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The interview was recorded and considered a great success.

I will proceed to refining and editing the recording so that it is a full video where all my interview quesitons are answered as I may use in the dissertation.

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I have further broken down my chapter plan for my dissertation:

Intro (1,000) – exploring why some people are more committed to a narrative than others, then introduce/elaborate the 5 topics below and what I hope to discover. Also describing how empathy and sympathy are supposed to work on a psychological level

Chapter 1 (1,000) – dissecting the interview and gathering everyone’s thoughts and opinions to then explore the sub topics discussed in the rest of the chapters. (this can also include questions I have asked in discord (see formative presentation).

Chapter 2 (1,000) – exploring the full depth of the transportation theory and other experiments surrounding and what this then adds to the whole subject.

Chapter 3 (1,000) – the idea of people being too immersed into fiction for their own good, as discussed in the interview. ideas such as ‘video games cause violence’ or triggering PTSD, etc. (Mark Prensky’s work here maybe)

Chapter 4 (1,000) – exploring the hero’s journey and the 22 rules of Pixar storytelling and music composing as the most popular methods of fiction writing. Exploring what this adds to the subject and how it might affect an audience.

Chapter 5 (1,000) – the historical influence of storytelling and its original purposes. The morals they teach and how this may or may not happen today. Not all media is supposed to teach you a lesson etc.

Conclusion (1,000) – summarising the whole thing and what I have learnt from this. what do all the topics above say about the subject question. Can I generally give a yes and no answer to my question, and why/how.

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Plan for the summer:

Before the third accademic year begins (Sept, 2021), I will aim to get between 2,000 and 3,000 words complete.
As I go, I am saving myself time and effort by pre-placing citations into a library so it is easy access for me as I write.
My next step will be to edit the interview into appropriate sizes and organise a transcript for the audio so that collection quotations from the interviewees will be simple. I also have paraphrased notes to refer to.
Then, the writing of my dissertation can begin with enough prepared beforehand.

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Introduction Written

I have completed the first draft of my introduction (about 1,000 words).
It introduces how I will approach each chapter aswell as describing all the potential themes I may explore during the writing process.

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Interview Editing:

I have fully edited the entire interview down into bitesized sections that I can now transcribe and appropriately quote from in my main dissertation.
This will help focus ideas and topic points during the writing process.

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Transcripting:

The audio/video interview is rouhgly 36 minutes in length. So that I could clearly see everything that was being said by the interviewees and quote them directly and correctly, I have transcripted the audio into a pdf file clearly accessible and legible for me to refer from.

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July 19th 2021

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.Fiction and Empathy Interview Full Transcript

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Chapter One Progress

I have set myself a goal to write 3,000 words before the end of September so I can allow myself plenty of time to re-draft, edit, and finalise my main body of text. To make this easier on myself, I have broken it down to 500 words a week, which should allow plenty of time and allow me not to become overwhelmed by the dissertation overall.
This week, 500 words have been added to chapter one.

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The first draft of chapter one that included breaking down the interview into the different points that were made has been completed with approximately 1,000 words.

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Another 600 words have been added to the total word count of the dissertation as I have started chapter two, unpacking the Transportation Theory and how this compares in what was said in the interview.

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Chapter two concerning other sources and experiments dedicated to fictional narratives, empathy, and sympathy has been completed with an approximate word count of 1,200 words. Overall giving me a full word count of approximately 3,500 words in my dissertation so far.

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I have just discovered this wonderful show on Netflix called 'Myths & Monsters'.
Just by watching the introduction I can already tell there are many ideas discussed that line up with my lead question.
Before continuing to write any more I shall watch this short docu-series and take notes. That way I am able to draw from yet another source to answer my lead question.

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I have two potential new interviewees who, as opposed to my other interviewees who watch a lot of media, read plenty of both fiction and non fiction liturature. I want to propose another set of questions for the two of them related to reading. To further expand my first hand sources and possibly link this with Joseph Campbell's 'The Hero's Journey' as well as the 'Transportation Theory' experiment, which will allow me to make more substantial connections towards answering my lead question.

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This is the updated Volunteer Agreement Form for the questionnaire:

-  I understand and give consent to the writer that my questionnaire may be kept in the document for the purpose of primary research for the dissertation assignment based on the lead question above.

-  I understand and consent that everything I answer on the questionnaire can be used as primary research for this dissertation.

-  I understand and consent that anything I write can be quoted word for word within this dissertation.

-  I am properly informed of what the topic requires me to talk about.

-  I have seen the questions and I feel comfortable answering them in any way I appropriately choose to.

-  I understand and agree that I am not in any physical or mental influence/danger while acting as a volunteer for the dissertation’s primary research.

-  I understand and agree that the recorded answers will be digitally stored for as long as it may be required to complete the dissertation.

-  I understand and agree that, after the writer has fully completed the dissertation, I may ask for my answers to be removed from storage without being required to give a reason.

-  I understand and agree that the writer will not use my questionnaire for anything after this dissertation without my further consent.

-  I understand and agree that I hold contact details of the writer and I am able to discuss the agreement further.

-  I understand and agree that all of the above are legal uses of primary research being used within this dissertation assignment.

-  I have freely volunteered and by signing with my name below I accept all of the points above.

Volunteer signed (type name):
Date Signed:

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I have developed a new questionnaire to give to two volunteers along with a separate volunteer agreement form. Listed below are the questions they are being asked:

1. What kind of book genre do you read / are interested in reading? Can you list some examples?

2. Do you often read books that aren’t usually your preferred genre as well as books that are?

3. How often might you read? Under what circumstances; situationally or emotionally?

4. On a scale of 1-100 (100 being the better) could you rate your empathetic capabilities? Why did you rate it so?

5. Do you think your empathy rating would increase or decrease after reading a book you enjoy? Why do you believe that is? (No right or wrong answers here).

6. On a scale of 1-100 (100 being the better) what is the most you’ve ever felt transported in a book? What was that book if you recall?

7. Can you describe what is feels like to be transported in a book?

8. Have you ever felt emotionally attached to a book’s narrative or its character(s)?

9. Are your emotions ever tied into a book? How so?

10. On a scale of 1-100 (100 being the better) how capable are you of detaching emotions from a book so that you           don’t get affected? Why did you rate it so?

11. What are the biggest features in books (plot, character development, hardships, poetic symbolism, etc) that you  look for (perhaps in a book’s description, its reviews, or the blurb) so that you can enjoy the book to its maximum potential?

12. What are your favourite moments/experiences in reading a book and why?

13. What would it take for you to be enjoyably transported by a book?

14. To what extent might you agree or disagree with the theory that fictional narratives increase/decrease a reader’s empathy depending on how much they enjoyed the narrative?

15. To what extent might you agree or disagree with the theory that non-fictional narratives increase/decrease a reader’s empathy depending on how much they enjoyed the narrative?

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Questionnaire Volunteer Agreement Form - Odile Clarke

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Fiction & Empathy Questionnaire - OGMC.docx

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I went through the answers from one of the questionnaires and highlighted all the points and opinions made that I believed would be essential to the dissertation. I am still waiting on a secondary questionnaire to be completed before I continue writing, as both views will provide two completely different perspectives, giving me interesting first hand material to work with.

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Questionnaire Volunteer Agreement Form - Philip Clarke

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Like before, I have highlighted all the most valuable quotes from this second questionnaire. As easily predicted, the answers providede were of a different viewpoint from the first quesitonnaire, which will be highly beneficial to discuss the different perspectives of my lead question.
This week, I have my first discussion group with a tutor that will help guide the dissertation process. So I shall wait until then to receive feedback and insight into ways forward from here. I am sure to gain some good perspective/insight to complete the second half of my dissertation.

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Tutorial Session:
- Lars von Trier (The Antichrist) controversial films
- Melanie C. Green https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0083
- Look at specific case studies; what have people watched that have significantly changed their view/mood/behaviour.
- Structure: Make a point, what have you read to prove the point, formulate the opinion, and finally conclude.
- For every point you make, show the evidence. Always. Does it reinforce the point? If no, you don't need it.

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I have re-read my dissertation so far and have tried to highlight the most important areas that need attention. Not only those that perhaps need rephrasing to answer the question more directly, but also those that stand out as my main aim or point/opinion made in the dissertation.
I am struggling to really separate all these things among my writing and see where I could fit in some more solid conclusions for every point I make.
I am asking myself, for every point made, am I showing the evidence for it and driving it home?
To this, I can say that I think I am on the right track, all it needs is more refining.

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- Case Study is something that will help you develop your point to help answer your question. (e.g. a still from a movie, that you analyse and place in all the theory you researched).
- James Monaco - Film Theory "How to Read Films"
- Case Study: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/13/squid-game-is-netflixs-biggest-debut-hit-reaching-111m-viewers-worldwide
- Case Study: Lord of the Flies
- Human Condition by Hannah Arndt https://www.supersummary.com/the-human-condition/summary/
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/arendt/
- Discuss 'dissociation' and/or 'desensitisation'
- Book: Visual Culture reader edited by Nicholas Mirzoeff
- Jean Baudrillard writings about desensitisations in modern day etc.
- Make a point, show evidence (case study) then conclude with articles/papers/citations etc.
- Write up some of these case studies separately and see where they fit afterwards. Have others read what you have so far and give feedback.

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Squid Game is Netflix’s biggest debut hit, reaching 111m viewers worldwide

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Dystopian drama tops streaming service’s charts in more than 80 countries, bumping aside Regency-era romp Bridgerton

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I have tried my best to follow leads given to me in tutorial sessions and as I was writing, keeping the tutorial notes in mind, I ended up finding a new lead that could thoroughly asist me in answering my lead question. I discovered the Identity Theory/Social Identity Theory when researching the psychology of influence.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2695870

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In social psychology, we need to establish a general theory of the self, which can attend to both macro and micro processes, and which avoids the redundancies of separate theories on different aspects of the self. For this purpose, we present core components of identity theory and social identity theory and argue that although differences exist between the two theories, they are more differences in emphasis than in kind, and that linking the two theories can establish a more fully integrated view of the self. The core components we examine include the different bases of identity (category/group or role) in each of the theories, identity salience and the activation of identities as discussed in the theories, and the cognitive and motivational processes that emerge from identities based on category/group and on role. By examining the self through the lens of both identity theory and social identity theory, we see how, in combination, they can move us toward a general theory of the self.

Journal Information

Social Psychology Quarterly (SPQ) publishes theoretical and empirical papers on the link between the individual and society, including the study of the relations of individuals to one another, as well as to groups, collectivities and institutions. It also includes the study of intra-individual processes insofar as they substantially influence or are influenced by social structure and process. SPQ is genuinely interdisciplinary, publishing works by both sociologists and psychologists. Published quarterly in March, June, September and December.

Publisher Information

American Sociological Association Mission Statement: Serving Sociologists in Their Work Advancing Sociology as a Science and Profession Promoting the Contributions and Use of Sociology to Society The American Sociological Association (ASA), founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good. With over 13,200 members, ASA encompasses sociologists who are faculty members at colleges and universities, researchers, practitioners, and students. About 20 percent of the members work in government, business, or non-profit organizations. As the national organization for sociologists, the American Sociological Association, through its Executive Office, is well positioned to provide a unique set of services to its members and to promote the vitality, visibility, and diversity of the discipline. Working at the national and international levels, the Association aims to articulate policy and impleme nt programs likely to have the broadest possible impact for sociology now and in the future.

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Identity Theory and Social Identity Theory on JSTOR

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In social psychology, we need to establish a general theory of the self, which can attend to both macro and micro processes, and which avoids the redundancies of separate theories on different aspects of the self.

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- When introducing a new term, define it and give examples immediately.
- Don't rely to heavily on the interview, have a wide variation of research sources.
- Add more detail in how you will do things and what you're stating at the time. Don't assume the audience knows what you know. (i.e: "I'm going to explore this" - "here is how".) Tell them the route you followed.
- Support your argument every step of the way. (Academic Conventions).
- Straight to the point - short and sweet. Be specific.
- Broaden your interviewee audience.
- Google Scholar
- McKenzie Wark, The Haker Manifesto https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvjz82nr
- Go to the index of a book and find the words that relate to your work, and it'll tell you what page your related words are on. Quickest way to find if a book is relavent or not.
- Submit as much as you can, by end of month deadline.

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Chapter Three's first draft has been completed while exploring case studied and the Social Identity Theory.
Developed research was with the help of the tutorial sessions.
I have not yet figured out where my next lead is as I will need to read some more sources, yet as an assessment is on its way for the purpose of receiving feedback, I shall wait to read the feedback and continue from there.
So far, I feel very happy with what I have written.

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Formative Feedback:
- Tell us how and from whom did you shape your opinion.
- The Empathy Edge by Maria Ross (pg2)
- ADD TRANSCRIPT
- Bring research together. Point, evidence conclusion.

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Planning my conclusion before heavy editing and proof reading.

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Writing the last chapter of the whole dissertation, the conclusion.
Also adding some further primary research in one of the chapters and double checking my bibliography.
Now I need to further edit and proof read my whole dissertation.
The word count so far, including quotes, is: 6,459 out of a minimum of 6,000 words and maximum of 7,000 words.
(I need to add page numbers and ethics checklist)

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I started proof reading and editing my first draft and going over it with several people assisting me. This way, other poeple who are less knowledgable about the subjects I've researched can tell me if something is unclear or needs rephrasing.

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A full second draft has been made of my dissertation and now it shall go out to volunteers who are helping me proof read my work. With their feedback I shall continue to edit accordingly.

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I received very helpful feedback and proof reading notes from people knowledgable in grammar and liturature.
I have now adjusted my work with the corrections given to me.
I would be happy and confident submitting my work as it now is.