• Key Point: Texts communicate thoughts and feelings. Literature has often reflected not only the emotions of characters but also authors, establishing a bridge between cognitive science and literary studies.
• Example: Sigmund Freud's work in psychology has transformed how authors portray thought processes, shifting from surface-level thinking to the display of the complex subconscious. The subconscious influences the way words are placed on a page.
• Real-world Example: When reading a thriller novel, you might feel your heart race. This is because the author, using literary devices like suspense and description, is manipulating your subconscious, making you feel as if you're in the thrilling situation.

• Key Point: The scientific exploration of our reading brain shows that when we read about physical actions, parts of our brain react as if we were performing those actions.
• Example: Reading about catching a ball makes our brain respond similarly to actually catching it.
• Real-world Example: Have you ever flinched while reading a scene where a character gets hit by something? That's your brain responding to the physical action described.

• Key Point: Cognitive science impacts how we understand others' thoughts and feelings in texts, or "read minds". Lisa Zunshine explains this in her article "Culture of Greedy Mind Readers."
• Example: We interpret observable behavior caused by underlying mental states, such as understanding a person's intention to turn left when they switch on the left turn signal. This is the “theory of mind”.
• Real-world Example: Remember that time you figured out your friend was upset even though they didn't say it outright? You recognized their tone, facial expression, or body language - that's your "theory of mind" in action.

• Key Point: The term "mind-reading" is often misleading as it is not conscious, linear, or verbal. It's fast, messy, mostly non-verbal, and involves attributing thoughts and feelings to people.
• Example: Your interpretation of someone's actions or words isn't always correct. It's often an intuitive guess, a hazy but obsessive intuition of the mind.
• Real-world Example: Ever misinterpreted a friend's sarcasm for seriousness? That's a product of this non-linear, often mistaken, mind reading.

• Key Point: Our "theory of mind" is utilized when engaging with art and culture, such as reading novels or watching movies. This cognitive adaptation is drawn to both real people and fictional characters.
• Example: Novels and movies offer an array of complex, yet readable, mental states that satisfy our greedy adaptation's need to understand others' thoughts and feelings.
• Real-world Example: Watching a movie like "Inception", we continually make assumptions and predictions about the characters' motivations and thoughts, using our "theory of mind."

• Key Point: Media provides a feast for our "theory of mind". They create intricate social contexts and construct characters whose inner thoughts and feelings can be inferred through their actions.
• Example: In reality TV, viewers gain access to complex emotional states and interpersonal interactions that are typically misinterpreted in real life.
• Real-world Example: When watching a reality TV show like "Survivor", you're using your "theory of mind" to interpret contestants' strategies and alliances.

• Key Point: Different genres and mediums have unique strategies to make audiences feel like they're glimpsing a character’s true emotions. These strategies evolve over time and can be parodied or subverted.
• Example: From cinéma vérité to mockumentaries, the illusion of access to complex mental states has remained a constant cultural theme.
• Real-world Example: Watching a mockumentary like "The Office", viewers feel privy to characters' inner thoughts through asides and interviews, though it's all scripted.

Remember, your understanding of a text is influenced by how you interpret the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of the characters - your "theory of mind" at work! So next time you pick up a book or watch a movie, keep an eye out for this mental exercise in play!