title: Transportation into narrative worlds: implications for entertainment media influences on tobacco use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A growing body of research suggests that smoking portrayals in movies influence adolescent tobacco use. However, the mechanism for this influence remains unclear. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of research on narrative transportation theory, particularly as applied to movies and smoking. We propose that this theory can provide a valuable framework for guiding research on the role of entertainment media in smoking and other addictive behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review empirical work on transportation theory and highlight the psychological mechanisms underlying transportation effects. 'Transportation into narrative worlds' refers to cognitive, emotional and imagery engagement into a narrative (including movies and entertainment media). We link this work with research on the effects of movie smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Research suggests that individuals who are more highly transported into narratives show greater attitude, belief and behavior change. Transportation effects work through reducing counterarguing, creating connections (identification and liking) with characters and increasing perceptions of realism and emotional involvement. We propose several future directions and research challenges for applying a transportation framework to the issue of entertainment media effects on smoking and tobacco disparities. Understanding factors contributing to transportation may provide a more nuanced view of who will be affected by movie smoking, and understanding the psychological processes underlying narrative persuasion may guide intervention efforts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Narrative transportation theory suggests that individuals' cognitive, emotional and imagery immersion in a narrative is a key mechanism of attitude, belief and behavior change. This theory provides a potentially generative and psychologically grounded framework for increasing knowledge about the boundary conditions and processes underlying the effects of entertainment media on tobacco use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. mcgreen@unc.edu
authors.forename: Melanie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Jenna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D009040:Motion Pictures; D009042:Motivation; D033262:Narration; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D014163:Transfer, Psychology