Kuidas teater võiks mõjutada meie heaolu. Teatrietenduse psühholoogiline vastuvõtumudel / How Theatre Might Influence Our Well-being: A Psychological Reception Model of Theatrical Performance

Abstract

Teesid: Käesolev artikkel tutvustab teatrietenduse psühholoogilist vastuvõtumudelit, mis kombineerib psühholoogilisi protsesse kultuuriteooriatega. Mudeli eesmärk on selgitada, millistel psühholoogilistel alustel me etendust vastu võtame ning analüüsime. Mudeli ja seal käsitletud protsesside illustreerimiseks on kasutatud näiteid eesti teatrite lavastustest, mis on rohkem või vähem seotud vaimse tervise ja heaoluga. Kokkuvõtteks toob artikkel esile, kuidas teatrietenduse vaatamine aktiveerib psühholoogilisi protsesse, mis võivad aidata suurendada vaimset heaolu.

Mental health is a topic that is impossible to overlook in today’s world. Many of us have experienced mental health issues either personally or indirectly. While psychology and psychiatry are the primary fields that study this subject, culture – and particularly theatre – can also play a significant role. Culture is often said to be something that nourishes the soul: even the word psychology derives from the Greek word psyche, meaning soul. Nevertheless, psychology and culture have seemingly grown apart, and are rarely examined together. In this study, I seek to bridge these two disciplines and analyse culture, specifically theatre and its reception, from a psychological perspective.

This article introduces a psychological reception model for theatre performances and explains how theatre can influence mental well-being. By combining psychological phenomena such as cognitive processes, changes in belief and attitude, and cognitive dissonance with cultural theories such as the horizon of expectations and identification, I propose a framework that illustrates how these processes are activated during a performance and how they shape the audience’s experience. These psychological mechanisms and cultural theories are integrated into a psychological reception model for theatre, which explains what happens to the audience on a psychological level during a performance. While this model is partially based on previous theories, it offers an innovative synthesis that provides new perspectives on the psychological effect of theatre. Additionally, my analysis draws on my background in psychology, both from academic studies and from practical work as a psychologist and therapist.

The research is based on examples from Estonian theatre productions that are directly or indirectly related to mental well-being. First, I analyse Kui sa tuled, too mul lilli (“If You Come, Bring Me Flowers”, Ugala Theatre, directed by Liis Aedmaa and Laura Kalle, 2021), which explores domestic violence. I then turn to Musträstas (“The Blackbird”, Nuutrum and Oliivipuu OÜ, directed by Johan Elm, 2022), which deals with the topic of paedophilia. In both cases, my focus is on how these performances are received through the lens of a psychological reception model, how they help illuminate the psychological impact of theatre, and in what ways they may shape audiences’ attitudes and beliefs toward the issues portrayed.

My study is guided by two main research questions: first, on what psychological foundations does theatre reception take place, and second, what impact does a theatrical performance have on the audience? These two questions are closely connected because the psychological mechanisms of reception directly shape how theatre affects the viewer, for example, what emotional and cognitive processes are activated and how do they, in turn, influence attitude and belief change. I argue that because human cognition is engaged in any activity involving perception or thought, it is impossible to discuss theatre reception without considering psychological processes. Watching a performance activates thought processes and emotions, as well as deeper mechanisms such as attitude and belief systems that shape the interpretation of what unfolds on stage. At the same time, cultural context influences receptivity, as individuals are shaped by the cultural environment in which they have grown up and the informational landscape that surrounds them.

Furthermore, I argue that theatre has the power to influence the audience’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. During a performance, the viewer enters a new informational field where they are exposed to novel perspectives that can reinforce existing attitudes or, conversely, create cognitive dissonance, a situation in which previously held mental frameworks require revision. This can lead to modifications in attitudes and perceptions, which, in turn, can affect everyday life and personal decision-making.

When addressing health issues, we often turn to practical solutions such as bandages or medication. Similarly, we could view theatre as a practical tool that can support our mental well-being. Theatre is not merely Entertainment, it is an experience that allows us to make sense of our lives and generate new perspectives. Since new perspectives are crucial when dealing with mental health challenges, theatre could serve as an important resource alongside therapy and antidepressants.