Theater increases empathy and inspires people to do charity work
Watching theatrical performances helps people become more empathic and start caring for others, Science Direct reports.
Scientists Steve Rathieu, Leor Hackel and Jameel Zaki have shown that going to the theater can change people's social and political views. In addition, watching the performances motivates you to do charity work. At the same time, it is not always associated with the theme of the performances seen, the researchers note.
Experts conducted an experiment, during which the volunteers got acquainted with three performances: with the “Skeleton Team” about workers at a factory in Detroit, with the LGBT drama “Wolf's Game” and with the play “Sweat” about the difficulties of the proletarians. Before and after the screening, volunteers filled out special questionnaires from psychologists.
After analyzing the tests, the scientists found that after watching the performances, the volunteers were more sympathetic to people from social groups – the heroes of the plays. This circumstance confirms the ability of art to change the views of people.
