Why We Root for Heroes and Hate Villains: The Neuroscience of Social Drama in Stories

Stories are mirrors of our social minds. At the core of their power lies our brain’s extraordinary ability called theory of mind—the capacity to infer what others think, feel, and intend. This skill emerges early in childhood and enables us to navigate complex social landscapes.

Multiple Minds Within One

Humans are not singular beings but collections of competing selves, each with its own desires and fears. Stories dramatize these internal tensions, revealing characters’ struggles to reconcile conflicting impulses. Our conscious minds often confabulate explanations for our actions, adding layers of mystery and intrigue.

Social Emotions Fuel Drama

Moral outrage and status competition evolved to maintain cooperation and social order in tribes. These emotions are powerful narrative drivers. When a character is wronged, audiences feel righteous indignation; when a villain rises in power, envy or fear intensifies the drama.

Misunderstandings Create Conflict and Comedy

Interestingly, people correctly interpret others’ thoughts only about 20-35% of the time. These frequent misreads generate misunderstandings that propel plot twists and humor, from Shakespearean comedies to modern sitcoms.

Anthropomorphism: Bringing Stories to Life

We naturally attribute minds to animals, objects, and abstract forces, enriching stories with animated, relatable entities. This tendency allows storytellers to populate their worlds with characters beyond humans, expanding narrative possibilities.

Understanding these social cognitive mechanisms helps us appreciate the complexity of stories and their reflection of human nature. For more, explore the works of psychologist Nicholas Epley and resources from Indiana University’s narrative brain research. 1 , 3