Storytelling and its relevance to different academic disciplines

Environmentalism and Storytelling

• The lecture discusses environmentalism in a broader context of storytelling, including personal narratives and stories of survival.
• Examples like Tarzan and Mowgli are introduced as stories of individuals adopted by animals.

Primates, Narratives, and Shifting Perspectives

• The story of Diane Fossey and her work with gorillas is mentioned, referencing the movie "Gorillas in the Mist".
• The narrative around primates has shifted from viewing them as isolated entities to recognizing them as beings under threat, necessitating human action for their conservation.
• The lecture emphasizes how stories about monkeys have evolved, influencing perceptions of their significance and relationship to humans.

Storytelling in Different Contexts

• Storytelling is presented as a tool used in scientific, traditional, and environmental contexts to shape perceptions and behaviors.
• Experiments involving raising apes as humans are mentioned, resulting in confused creatures, as highlighted by Joshua.

Storytelling Across Disciplines

• The lecture encourages students to consider how storytelling is used in their respective disciplines.
• In academic settings, storytelling is often downplayed in favor of objectivity, rationality, and logic.
• However, storytelling is integral to scholarly endeavors, influencing how research is conducted and understood.
• The human brain is wired for stories, making storytelling an inherent part of human communication and understanding.

Examples of Storytelling in Various Fields

• Clinical psychology involves storytelling to gather information about patients and create background checks for diagnosis and treatment. Psychologists make meaning from the stories told by their clients.
• International relations and politics use storytelling to present national narratives and shape perceptions of countries.
• Marketing relies on storytelling to engage consumers and promote products or services.
• Art curation involves arranging art in exhibitions to tell a story and convey meaning.
• Engineering and architecture use storytelling to design structures and select materials, considering history and movement.

The Power of Narrative

• Katrina suggests that psychology informs storytelling by explaining human behavior and desires, which is used in advertising.
• National narratives are significant stories that shape a sense of national identity.

Course Overview

• Next week's class will focus on fairy tales, exploring their mythological, archaeological, anthropological, and psychological importance.
• Students have the option to attend the class or join an online-only tutorial.