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Psychology of Writing

Why We Love Plot Twists: The Brain’s Addiction to Surprises in Stories

The elements that make surprising endings so irresistible

Natalie Frank, Ph.D.
Mental Gecko
Published in
4 min readJan 21, 2025

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Imagine sitting in a dimly lit theater, heart racing as the story unfolds. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the narrative takes a sharp turn, leaving you gasping in astonishment. This is the magic of a plot twist — a storytelling device that has captivated audiences for generations. But what is it about these unexpected turns that enthrall us so deeply?

The Brain’s Response to Surprises

Our brains are wired to seek patterns and make predictions. This ability has been crucial for survival, allowing us to anticipate and react to our environment. However, when a story defies these expectations with a plot twist, it triggers a cascade of neural responses.

Cognitive Dissonance and Resolution

A well-crafted plot twist introduces information that challenges our existing beliefs about the narrative, creating cognitive dissonance — a state of mental discomfort. To alleviate this discomfort, our brains work to reconcile the new information with what we previously knew, leading to a satisfying “aha” moment when the pieces…

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Mental Gecko
Mental Gecko

Published in Mental Gecko

The various ways we cope with an increasingly complex and chaotic world. Topics included are psychology, positive psychology and mental health, writing and writing advice, fiction, poetry, maintaining a positive mindset and humor.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D.
Natalie Frank, Ph.D.

Written by Natalie Frank, Ph.D.

I write about behavioral health & other topics. I’m Managing Editor (Serials, Novellas) for LVP Press. See my other articles: https://hubpages.com/@nataliefrank

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