Give an example from real life, or from a well-known novel, to show how "fictions" can strongly influence behavior.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast serves as an example of fiction strongly influencing behavior. Many listeners believed that Martians were actually invading Earth which led to widespread panic and evacuation attempts, demonstrating the power of fiction to influence real actions.

Step by step solution

01

Identify an example of fiction that influenced behavior

A real-world example could be the 'War of the Worlds' radio drama broadcast in 1938. This broadcast was a fictional story of a Martian invasion, however, many listeners believed it to be real and it caused a public outcry. The narrative was so realistic that many listeners believed they were hearing actual news reports of an alien invasion.
02

Explain the Impact

The impact on the behavior was significant. The listeners of the radio broadcast panicked when they believed that Martians were invading. People gathered in the streets, and some even tried to evacuate their cities. This scenario highlights the powerful influence that fiction can have on the behaviors and actions of a mass of people.
03

Conclude

In conclusion, fiction can have a powerful effect on influencing behavior. Even though 'War of the Worlds' was entirely fictional, the reality-like presentation led to real panic and chaos. This illustrates how the boundary between fiction and reality can be blurred, leading to significant behavioral shifts.

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