Sometimes these internal narratives we form not only shape our beliefs and opinions but also become deeply rooted in our identity.
While stories clearly dominate statistics from both memorability and persuasiveness perspectives, it’s
rarely a battle between facts and anecdotes ―
or even facts and other facts. The real clash is actually between stories:
the predominant incumbent and a new challenger. ( ① )
As storytelling creatures, we routinely form narratives to help us understand the world around us. ( ② )
When we experience different events or encounter various facts, our minds seek to make sense of them by forming stories around them. ( ③ )
For example, if you have had some bad experiences with graduates from a particular university, you may create a negative narrative in your mind about people who went to that school. ( ④ )
Suddenly, you judge everyone from the university by what you’ve
experienced on just a few unfortunate occasions. ( ⑤ )
For example, the narratives you have formed around gun control or climate change are most likely related with your political ideology ―
who you are as an individual. * anecdote: 일화 ** incumbent: 점유자
