Ep 190: Why Do You Get So Absorbed in that Book (or Movie)?

Have you ever gotten to immersed in a book or movie that you actually felt like the character?  Or you felt the character's pain or joy?  Why does this happen?  When does this happen?  What is it about the book or the movie and its characters that draws us in like this?  It's amazing isn't it?  To be so moved like this.  Psychologists have studied this experience and we have some ideas regarding what factors have to be present in order for this to happen.  And would you believe that this understand might help us to combat racism and bullying?  Pretty amazing stuff.  Join me as I explore what psychologists call "experience taking".