Bridging Science and Storytelling
Homo Fictus is your gateway to the fascinating intersection of science and storytelling. We transform cutting-edge research from peer-reviewed journals into accessible insights about how fiction shapes our minds, behaviors, and society.
What Homo Fictus Does
At Homo Fictus, rigorous scientific findings about narrative, fiction, and literature are carefully curated and translated from leading journals in psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. The content primarily explores:
• Cognitive Science of Fiction – How stories rewire the brain and influence behavior
• Narrative Psychology – The psychological mechanisms that underlie storytelling’s power
• Neuroscience of Fiction – The neural activity involved in reading fiction
• Philosophy of Literature – Theoretical frameworks that illuminate fiction’s impact
• Computational Literary Studies – Data-driven analyses of narrative structures
• Social Psychology of Stories – The ways fiction connects individuals and transforms communities
However, the scope of inquiry extends beyond these core areas. Insights are also drawn from the social psychology of reading, cognitive models of reading and viewing fiction, media studies of narrative, and the role of storytelling in marketing, communication, and public discourse.
At the heart of Homo Fictus lies a guiding question: How does fiction affect us, and through which mechanisms and consequences? Whether explored through the lenses of moral psychology, persuasive communication, decision-making, or identity formation, fiction is examined as a dynamic force that shapes cognition, emotion, and social behavior in profound ways.
Mission of Homo Fictus
Science should not remain locked behind academic paywalls. Homo Fictus was founded on the belief that knowledge about the science of fiction deserves to be accessible to all—beyond students, researchers, and institutions.
Content shared by Homo Fictus is grounded in peer-reviewed research: quantitative studies, qualitative analyses, and robust theoretical frameworks. Open-access sources and materials with proper reuse permissions are prioritized to ensure ethical and equitable dissemination.
Why Fiction Matters
Fiction is treated not merely as entertainment, but as a powerful, low-cost agent of personal and social transformation. Stories are seen as tools—affordable to create, effortless to share, and capable of reshaping minds and communities in meaningful, enduring ways. Research continues to reveal the transformative effects of fiction. When engaged meaningfully, narrative can:
• Enhance empathy and emotional intelligence
• Improve social cognition and perspective-taking
• Reduce prejudice and foster greater tolerance
• Strengthen neural pathways related to language and creativity
• Offer psychological benefits akin to those found in therapeutic contexts
About the Editor
Danyal Tohidi holds a Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology, with a research focus on how fiction influences human behavior and social cognition. His academic interests span cognitive psychology, social psychology, and the neuroscience of narrative processing.
Since entering graduate studies, a strong commitment has been shown by Danyal to public engagement with science. Homo Fictus serves as a reflection of that commitment—an effort to bridge rigorous research and everyday understanding. Through this platform, it is hoped that scientific insight can enrich how fiction is read, understood, and lived.
Bluesky: dantohidi.bsky.social
Gmail: dantohidi[at]gmail[dot].com