New Research Highlights the Profound Impact of Storytelling on Human Meaning and Memory
A new commentary published in Psychology Today proposes that storytelling is not just a cultural practice but a central mechanism through which human beings seek meaning, transmit values, and retain memories—a perspective supported by recent psychological research and resonant in societies worldwide, including Thailand. The analysis, reflecting on perspectives from noted psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl and memory pioneer Hermann Ebbinghaus, underscores that the stories we tell—whether in families, classrooms, or broader media—profoundly shape our sense of identity, purpose, and well-being. As digital media reshapes how stories are shared, deliberation grows about the social quality of today’s storytelling and its effects on collective and individual meaning.