Social Cognition, Emotions and Fiction: Theatre as an experimental ground for Cognitive Science

Jury :

• Jonna Vuoskoski (University of Oslo), reviewer
• Gabriele Sofia (Università di Roma Tre), reviewer 
• Antonia Hamilton (University College London), examiner 
• Louis Dieuzayde (Aix-Marseille University), examiner 
• Marion Chénetier-Alex (Ecole Normale Supérieure-PSL), PhD co-supervisor 
• Julie Grèzes (Ecole Normale Supérieure-PSL), PhD supervisor 

Summary :

Theatre is often described as a collective art form where audiences share emotions. Yet, scientific investigation of how these collective experiences contribute to enjoyment remains limited. This doctoral research studied real audiences attending professional performances in France and the UK. Using questionnaires administered to spectators and actors, the research examined how individual emotional responses relate to collective experiences and aesthetic enjoyment. The findings show that collective effervescence (the feeling of connection and sacredness that can emerge in social-emotional contexts) plays a key role in linking emotional responses to enjoyment. However, this process operates through different facets of the experience, depending on performance type. Combining empirical methods with artistic practice, this work illuminates the collective dimensions of aesthetic experiences.