Real-time responses to stories: linking valence shifts to post-exposure emotional flow and transportation

ABSTRACT Narrative experiences are characterized by dynamic emotional responses. Research has begun to investigate implications of emotional shifts for narrative processing, but the continuous measurement of emotion poses a challenge. This study examines how valence shifts captured using real-time response (RTR) measurement during two films relate to transportation and post-exposure self-reported emotional flow. Across both films, valence shifts (in terms of the mean intra-individual standard deviation of RTR valence) were positively correlated with transportation and self-reported emotional flow. Valence shifts and self-reported emotional flow were higher among women than men. We discuss the use of RTR measurement for the assessment of emotional shifts during narrative processes.