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Part I. Interdisciplinary Approach to Storytelling | 11
but also determine it (Moscovici, 1988; cf. Läszlö, 1999). The number of
representations is infinite since there are as many variations as there are
individuals. In addition, a narrative representation can be expressed in
different frameworks, including mimetic, iconic or linguistic systems.
Narrative representantion in itself is a sense-making process using gestures
and language which is organized by intentionality, (i.e. the system of intentions,
goals and means of actions). In a narrative, the thoughts, emotions and
perspectives of the actors also appear (Bruner, 1996).
Stories help to facilitate the simple flow of information in the development
of interpersonal interactions, as narrative schematization makes the actor’s
state, goals, plans and motive system interpretable (Laszld, 1998; Pléh, 2012).
A narrative is universally accessible and comprehensible to humans even if not
all elements of the action appear in it. Automatically used patterns and scripts
contribute to the understanding of explicit, unexplained details. Schemas
help to organize experience and understand human behavior. Bartlett (1932)
examined the accuracy with which people recall the narratives they hear, and
observed that people left out some episodes and added others while recalling
the narratives; verbatim recall rarely occurred. One of the conclusions of the
research was that the retold events were built on a kind of skeleton, called a
schema (Pléh, 2019). At the same time, the findings also provided evidence
that the mind is constructively involved in storing memories, and that it
relies on prior knowledge of the topic to make memory storage as efficient
as possible. Bartlett’s constructivist approach is also reflected in dynamic
memory theory, according to which events are organized in a logical order
using typical story patterns or scripts.
A script is a set of simple, everyday actions in which the sequence of steps
is constant, and a script is therefore nothing more than an architecture of
events in a stereotypical situation. Most scripts refer to simple situations in
which people perform an action (such as ordering in a restaurant, going
shopping, visiting a hospital, etc.) and are episodic scenarios. Instrumental
scripts contain procedural actions without individual interactions (e.g., driving
a car). Personal scripts involve patterns of action involving the building of
interpersonal relationships (e.g., courtship or flattery) or individual rituals
(e.g., superstitions or prayer) (Schank & Abelson, 1977; cf. Läszlö, 1999).
The knowledge elements associated with a particular situation develop as a
result of repeated experiences, but general information or the experiences
of others may also contribute to the information of a script. The script is an
active memory organizer which arranges experiences into clusters of similar
types of situations, contributing to the understanding and interpretation
of actions. During learning, the sequence of events is mastered and the
consequences and possible effects of actions become clearer and clearer. By
applying the rules of a script, individuals can also make predictions about
the possible outcomes of events. Humans automatically apply the scripts
learned throughout their lives to achieve various goals. The more scripts