Oatley’s Law

Oatley's Law states that a person’s emotional response to a story, especially in fiction or media, is closely tied to how believable and emotionally engaging the characters and events are. Essentially, if characters and their situations feel authentic and relatable, people are more likely to experience genuine emotional reactions. This principle highlights the importance of realistic storytelling in creating emotional connections, emphasizing that our emotional investment depends heavily on the perceived truthfulness and depth of the narrative. It underscores that effective storytelling taps into our natural empathy and capacity for emotional engagement.