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The Psychology of Performing Arts: Theatre and Human Expression

What benefits do we derive from theatre (including film and TV)? It is excitement, vicarious experience, education, catharsis, or all of these things? Does our enjoyment depend upon the ability of the playwright to parade problems in a way that connects with our own? What do the archetypal themes emerging through great drama tell us about nature? Can we be harmed (e.g. depraved and corrupted) by theatre? If so, under what conditions?

Professor Glenn D. Wilson is one of Britain's best-known psychologists. He has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes and has published more than 150 scientific articles and 33 books. He is an expert on individual differences; social and political attitudes; sexual behaviour, deviation and dysfunction; and psychology applied to the performing arts. (from gresham.ac.uk)

The Psychology of Performing Arts: Theatre and Human Expression


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