Docudrama and the cognitive evaluation of realism

Torben Kragh Grodal

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-90332-3_5

Docudrama and the cognitive evaluation of realism

Department of Communication

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the cognitive tools that viewers use when evaluating the veracity of documentaries, using the docudrama, The Queen, to exemplify viewers’ evaluations of a documentary’s truthfulness. It argues that viewers use a series of cognitive heuristic tools, such as availability, representativeness and anchoring, based on their individual cognitive and affective dispositions, including the personal relevance of a given documentary. It further argues that documentaries, but also fiction, tend to be believed unless such cognitive and affective processes provide disconfirmation, and that documentaries may often be veiled propaganda, as in the case of The Queen, where a central purpose is to present a glowing portrait of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Translated title of the contribution	Docudrama og den kognitive evaluering af realisme
Original language	English
Title of host publication	Cognitive Theory and Documentary Film
Editors	Catalin Brylla, Mette Kramer
Number of pages	17
Place of Publication	Cham
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date	1 Jan 2018
Pages	75-91
Chapter	5
ISBN (Print)	978-3-319-90311-6
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-319-90332-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90332-3_5
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

Faculty of Humanities

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10.1007/978-3-319-90332-3_5

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AB - This chapter analyzes the cognitive tools that viewers use when evaluating the veracity of documentaries, using the docudrama, The Queen, to exemplify viewers’ evaluations of a documentary’s truthfulness. It argues that viewers use a series of cognitive heuristic tools, such as availability, representativeness and anchoring, based on their individual cognitive and affective dispositions, including the personal relevance of a given documentary. It further argues that documentaries, but also fiction, tend to be believed unless such cognitive and affective processes provide disconfirmation, and that documentaries may often be veiled propaganda, as in the case of The Queen, where a central purpose is to present a glowing portrait of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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Docudrama and the cognitive evaluation of realism

Abstract

Keywords

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