Fictionality is Associated with Positive Emotions towards Negative Films

Abstract

Protective frame is a feature of experience in which individuals find a situation as protecting them from negative consequences, and enables them to experience positive rather than negative emotions. We examined whether fictionality of stimuli acts as a protective frame. Participants rated their positive and negative emotions induced by fictional or non-fictional film stimuli including fearful or disgusting content, and completed a questionnaire measuring their mood. Results indicated that disgusting-fictional stimulus induced weaker disgust compared to disgusting-non-fictional stimulus, while fictionality showed no such effect on fearful stimuli. Stronger perceived fictionality was associated with stronger interest in the film and urge to continue watching the film. We suggest that fictionality decreases disgust and increases positive emotion towards negative stimuli.