A computational model of the cognitive impact of decorative elements on the perception of suspense. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delatorre, Pablo; León, Carlos; Gervás, Pablo; Palomo-Duarte, Manuel
• Is Part Of: Connection science. Volume 29:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Suspense -- cognitive modelling -- plot generation -- storytelling -- computational creativity -- video games; Neural computers -- Periodicals; Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Connectionism -- Periodicals; 006.3
• DOI: 10.1080/09540091.2017.1345856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0091

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Suspense is a key narrative issue in terms of emotional gratification, influencing the way in which the audience experiences a story. Virtually all narrative media uses suspense as a strategy for reader engagement regardless of the technology or genre. Being such an important narrative component, computational creativity has tackled suspense in a number of automatic storytelling. These systems are mainly based on narrative theories, and in general lack a cognitive approach involving the study of empathy or emotional effect of the environment impact. With this idea in mind, this paper reports on a computational model of the influence of decorative elements on suspense. It has been developed as part of a more general proposal for plot generation based on cognitive aspects. In order to test and parameterise the model, an evaluation based on textual stories and an evaluation based on a 3D virtual environment was run. In both cases, results suggest a direct influence of emotional perception of decorative objects in the suspense of a scene.