A recent study conducted by a team of Stanford psychologists has found that watching a docudrama about the efforts to free a wrongly convicted prisoner on death row can increase empathy towards formerly incarcerated individuals and support for criminal justice reform. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research aimed to combat the lack of empathy for stigmatized groups by using media as an intervention. This strategy was based on prior research on empathy by senior author Jamil Zaki and the work of his co-author, Jennifer Eberhardt, who has studied racial bias in society for over 30 years.
The idea for the study originated from a conversation Eberhardt had with an executive producer of the film “Just Mercy,” based on the book by Bryan Stevenson. The film delves into the systemic racism within the criminal justice system and how racial bias affects marginalized individuals, particularly Black Americans. Eberhardt, a professor of psychology, collaborated with Zaki to design a study to investigate how watching the film could impact views towards marginalized individuals. Participants were asked to watch videos of real-life formerly incarcerated men and rate their feelings before and after watching the film.
The study found that after watching “Just Mercy,” participants showed increased empathy towards formerly incarcerated individuals and were more likely to support criminal justice reform. Participants who watched the film were also more inclined to sign a petition supporting a federal law restoring voting rights to people with criminal records. This highlights the power of storytelling in influencing opinions, as narratives have the ability to move people in ways that statistics cannot. Previous research by Eberhardt has shown that presenting numbers on racial disparities may not be as effective in changing minds compared to storytelling.
Interestingly, the study found that the impact of storytelling on empathy and support for criminal justice reform was consistent across different racial groups and political orientations. Regardless of the storyteller’s race, participants were equally affected by the narratives presented. This suggests that detailed personal narratives have the ability to open minds and hearts towards individuals and groups, leading to increased understanding and support for marginalized communities. The findings of this study align with previous research conducted by Zaki, which demonstrated how live theater performances can influence perceptions of social and cultural issues.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of using storytelling as a tool for promoting empathy and social change. By engaging with personal narratives, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of stigmatized groups and be more inclined to support efforts towards justice and equality. This research highlights the potential of media interventions in shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards marginalized communities.