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Research

Forthcoming article: 

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Turner, R. (in press). Fiction, Empathy and the Material World [Advances in Neuroaesthetics: Narratives and Art as Windows into the Mind and Brain.] Journal for Comparative Literature and Aesthetics, 47. 

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Abstract 

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Fiction may function to support human social interaction by cultivating empathic abilities. The past decade has yielded promising evidence in support of this theory, though the multidimensionality of both fiction-engagement and empathy have presented methodological challenges and led to mixed findings. Studies have tended to focus on reading and have generally treated cognition as a solely internal process. I position empathy and engagement with fiction as ontologically extended processes. I argue that further systematic exploration of fiction technologies would promote a comprehensive and culturally relevant account of the relationship between fiction-engagement and empathy and enhance understanding of its cognitive architecture.

 

 

Keywords: Empathy, fiction, social cognition, extended mind, material engagement theory 

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Latest Publications 

Turner, R. & Vallée-Tourangeau, F. (2023). Challenges of measuring empathic accuracy: A mentalizing versus experience-sharing paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 62, 972-91. doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12612 

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Turner, R. & Kasperczyk, H. (2022). Space for the unexpected: Serendipity in immersive theatre. In W. Ross & S. Copeland (Eds.), The art of serendipity: insight, innovation and inspiration (pp. 101-25). Palgrave Macmillan. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84478-3

Previous and associated publications

Bardey, A., Medhiratta, U., & Turner, R. (2023). Fashioning the future generation: Generation Z Indian consumers’ attitudes towards Western and Indian Fashion. In F. Brooksworth, E. Mogaji, & G. Bosah (Eds.). Fashion marketing for emerging economies (Vol II): Strategies, tools and insights for fashion brands. Palgrave Macmillan. 

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​Bardey, A. C., & Turner, R., Piccardi, P. (2022). Bargaining our Emotions: Exploring the lived experience of purchasing luxury fashion counterfeit. Strategic Change, 31, 505-14. doi.org/10.1002/jsc.2521

 

Noon, E. J., & Turner, R. (2022). The European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations Junior Researcher Programme: A reflection from two research project supervisors. PsyPAG Quarterly, 122, 44-7.

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Turner, R. & Vallée-Tourangeau, F. (2020). Fiction effects on social cognition: Varying narrative engagement with cognitive load. Scientific Study of Literature, 10, 96-130. doi.org/10.1075/ssol.19008.tur

 

Turner R. & Noon, E. J. (2019). The European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations Junior Researcher Programme: A review from two research project supervisors. PsyPAG Quarterly, 113, 44-6.

 

Turner, R., & Felisberti, F. (2018). Relationships between fiction media, genre, and empathic abilities. Scientific Study of Literature, 8, 261-92. doi.org/10.1075/ssol.19003.tur

 

Turner, R. & Felisberti, F. M. (2017). Measuring mindreading: A review of behavioral approaches to measuring “theory of mind” in neurologically typical adults. Frontiers in Psychology. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00047

 

Koch, T., Turner, R., Smith, P. & Hutnik, N. (2010). Storytelling reveals the active, positive lives of centenarians.Journal for Nursing Older People, 22, 31-6. doi.org/10.7748/nop2010.10.22.8.31.c7995

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Koch, T., Smith, P., Turner, R., & Hutnik, N. (2010). Storytelling with UK Centenarians. Guildford, UK: University of Surrey Press.

Invited Talks and Selected Conference Presentations

​Turner, R. (2024). Material engagement in the dynamic relationship between fiction and empathy. Paper presented at the International Conference of Three Societies on Literature and Science, Birmingham, UK. 

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Shah, A-N. & Turner, R. (2023). You are what you wear: The psychology of fashion in medicine. Paper presented at London College of Fashion, London, UK. 

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Turner, R. (March 2021). Reading other minds: The relationship between fiction and empathy. Goldsmiths University, London, UK.

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Turner, R. (December 2020). Preparing for the academic job market. Kingston University Advanced Research Methods Society, Kingston-Upon-Thames, UK. 

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Turner, R. (June 2019). Fiction and empathy: A multidimensional approach. SOAS, London, UK.

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Turner, R. & Vallée-Tourangeau, F. (2019). Immersion in fictional stories and empathic accuracy: Methodological challenges. Paper presented at the British Society of Literature and Science, Surrey, UK. 

 

Turner, R. (2019). Fiction and empathy in the digital age: The effects of digital and non-digital modes of fiction-engagement on empathic abilities. Paper presented at EFPSA, Lithotopos, Greece.

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Turner, R. (2018). Associations between fiction media and genre engagement, and empathic traits. Paper presented at the International Society for the Empirical Study of Literature and Media, Stavanger, Norway. 

 

Turner, R. & Felisberti, F. M. (2017). Fiction matters: Divergent links between fiction media exposure, genre preferences and social skills. Poster session presented at APA Convention, Washington, DC. 

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