Social Cognitive Theory

The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.

This audiobook will seek to define cognitive dissonance as it relates to narcissists, toxic people, psychopaths, and other mentally ill or personality-disordered individuals. It will also define the cognitive dissonance that causes victims to stay with their narcissistic spouse or partner. The purpose of toxic and narcissistic people is seemingly to harm and take advantage of others. We look at them as being the "evil" side of humanity, but we often don't realize why they chose the "dark" side.

Why are many readers drawn to stories that texture ethnic experiences and identities other than their own? How do authors such as Salman Rushdie and Maxine Hong Kingston, or filmmakers in Bollywood or Mexico City produce complex fiction that satisfies audiences worldwide? In Analyzing World Fiction, 15 renowned luminaries use tools of narratology and insights from cognitive science and neurobiology to provide answers to these questions and more.