Comprehension Processes in Touch of Evil: Predictive Inference and Working Memory in Film

EasyChair Preprint 3869

Abstract

People enjoy the affective response engendered by filmmakers through narrative. In two experiments, we tested the role of film audio and working memory on a predictive inference important for narrative suspense. Participants watched three minutes of Touch of Evil. We manipulated knowledge of a time-bomb when the scene starts. Audio increased the likelihood of generating a bomb related inference (Experiment 1). Participants higher in working memory were more likely to generate bomb inferences (Experiment 2).

Keyphrases: Film Narrative Comprehension, predictive inferences, working memory

@booklet{EasyChair:3869,
  author    = {John Hutson and Joseph Magliano and Tim Smith and Lester Loschky},
  title     = {Comprehension Processes in Touch of Evil: Predictive Inference and Working Memory in Film},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 3869},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2020}}