Stories: Are They More Engaging When Heard or Seen?

Stories have always been at the heart of human culture. They're how we share our identities, learn, and enjoy each other's company. Researchers wondered how the way stories are told—either through video or audio—affects how much we enjoy them. They asked people to rate how involved they felt while watching videos or listening to audio stories. Surprisingly, even though people said they felt more involved when watching videos, their bodies told a different story. Their hearts beat faster and more irregularly, their skin sweat more, and their body temperature rose higher when they listened to audio stories. This suggests that audio stories might be more engaging on a deeper, physiological level. Why? Maybe listening to a story makes us more active, using our imagination to fill in the blanks. And this mental activity shows up in the readings from sensors on our wrists.