How stories shape our minds | The science of storytelling | BBC Ideas – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1.There's a Native American proverb that says, "The one who tells the story rules the world." Stories have the potential to be incredibly powerful
2.They're able to change how we relate to each other, to change prejudice, so the potential for stories to persuade is staggering
3.I read this really, really good research paper about these two books which basically suggested, that if you get people to read a couple of chapters of Harry Potter, they'll rate themselves higher than other people in their ability to potentially move something, just using the power of their mind
4.The people who read about the vampires, they'll actually believe that their teeth are slightly longer than other people in the population, just as a result of having read a chapter or two of this book
5.In terms of psychology, there's a few things that stories actually do to us
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR B2)
controversial
B1Arousing controversy—a debate or discussion of opposing opinions.
Example:
"If you're trying to change people's opinions about controversial topics"
important
A2Having relevant and crucial value.
Example:
"And it's such an important part of understanding the world around them,"
subscribe
A2To sign up to have copies of a publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine, delivered for a period of time.
Example:
"Don’t forget to subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications for new videos. See you again soon!"
notifications
B1The act of notifying.
Example:
"Don’t forget to subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications for new videos. See you again soon!"
surrogate
A2A substitute (usually of a person, position or role).
Example:
"but are fictional characters, it forms a sort of social surrogate"
effective
A2A soldier fit for duty
Example:
"stories have actually been found to be a lot more effective"
attitudes
A2The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.
Example:
"Attitudes towards stigmatised groups could be improved by reading"
related
A2To tell in a descriptive way.
Example:
"brain areas related to jumping?"
people's
A2A A2-level word commonly used in this context.
Example:
"If you're trying to change people's opinions about controversial topics"
opinions
A2A subjective belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed about a topic, issue, person or thing.
Example:
"If you're trying to change people's opinions about controversial topics"
| Word | CEFR | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| controversial | B1 | Arousing controversy—a debate or discussion of opposing opinions. |
| important | A2 | Having relevant and crucial value. |
| subscribe | A2 | To sign up to have copies of a publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine, delivered for a period of time. |
| notifications | B1 | The act of notifying. |
| surrogate | A2 | A substitute (usually of a person, position or role). |
| effective | A2 | A soldier fit for duty |
| attitudes | A2 | The position of the body or way of carrying oneself. |
| related | A2 | To tell in a descriptive way. |
| people's | A2 | A A2-level word commonly used in this context. |
| opinions | A2 | A subjective belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed about a topic, issue, person or thing. |
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Intonation
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