Examining the Importance of Psychology of Communication in Literature: How Tokyo Ghoul Showcases Different Forms of Communication to Readers in A Digestible Form

Abstract

Reading fictional stories are often seen as an activity that has no real benefit other than for entertainment. While there are pieces of literature used for academic reasons, any other fictional story is deemed to have no real value in our lives. This notion, however, is not true. In this study, the aim is to show that fictional literature can show psychology of communication skills to an audience, more specifically, that fictional narrative stories can function as a simulation of the social world, where readers can improve their empathy and theory of mind skills. The research method is based on other studies gathered surrounding the topic of fictional literature and cognitive psychology, specifically surrounding the function of fiction in our social and personal psychology. The manga Tokyo Ghoul was used as a case study to explore the many techniques and ways in which the author and the reader can obtain benefit through the simulation of the social world. It has been found that fictional literature functions as a simulation to the social world and thus increasing empathy and theory of mind in readers. Through the use of fictional literature, professionals can use the medium to improve areas of people's lives in a more engaging way. Not only can readers and professionals use fictional literature to explain difficult emotional and psychological concepts, but also increase empathy and theory of mind.

Keywords: fiction, empathy, simulation, narrative, theory of mind, communication, psychology