The relationship between theatrical script reading and social abilities

Abstract

This study examined the effects of reading theatrical script on various social abilities by manipulating the text type (i.e., theatrical script vs. nonfiction factual reports on a specific person) and reading approach (i.e., active vs. controlled). The examined abilities included empathy and the ability to understand others’ mental states. Thus, 83 participants were assigned to one of four social ability combinations. The participants’ social abilities were measured pre- and post-intervention using established scales, including a narrative transportation scale administered after the intervention. Contrary to the predicted benefits of theatrical script and active reading on the participants’ social abilities, the results did not support the researchers’ predictions. Notably, only in the condition of reading nonfiction actively was a positive correlation observed between the participants’ narrative transportation scale score and improvements in their performance in understanding others’ mental states. This finding indicates that even in nonfiction reading, participants’ ability to understand others was enhanced, which was facilitated by transportation into narratives. Furthermore, this study’s results imply that components such as performance planning and actual performance may be crucial to short-term theatrical interventions’ effectiveness at improving people’s social abilities.