Dramatic Irony

How do we understand the experiences of characters in a movie? Similar to real life, viewers attribute mental states through process known as Theory Mind (ToM). Filmmakers commonly use Dramatic Irony, narrative device where audience knows something that at least one does not. From social neuroscience perspective, understanding cognitive mechanisms underlie dramatic irony can provide remarkable opportunity study ToM more ecologically relevant context. While descriptive theories exist, these have never been studied relation contemporary neuroscience. In this opinion piece, aim bring together two traditionally isolated disciplines propose cross-disciplinary research roadmap for investigating cinema.