According to some models, this is due to the hypothesis that narrative is not only a successful way of communication, but a specific way of structuring knowledge.
Thomas's writing is sharp and energetic, and she has to be congratulated for getting pirate treasure, cryptoanalysis, a cake recipe and some incisive asides to explain mathematical conundrums such as the Riemann hypothesis into one narrative.
If this hypothesis is true, narrative should be rich with information useful to the pursuit of fitness.
Two experiments based on work by Koenig et al. (Adams, Mayer, MacNamara, Koenig, & Wainess, 2011; Koenig, 2008) also address the narrative hypothesis.
This paper presents a study that aimed at assessing an underlying hypothesis of location-aware narratives: that the coupling between the physical space and the narrative will result in increased levels of immersion in the narrative.
According to the Narrative Practice Hypothesis, mindreading involves not theoretical reasoning but the construction of a certain kind of narrative (Hutto 2008).
Combining poetic prose with psychological acuity – McCarry is the American Le Carré – the book plausibly incorporates its hypothesis into the known narrative involving Lee Harvey Oswald and is underwritten by our suspicion that McCarry's story may be informed by data picked up during his clandestine career.
By committing to document all significant links in the data set they create, whether they fit the narrative or hypothesis or go against it, researchers show that they have not rigged the study from the start.
They found that 'thematic synthesis holds most potential for hypothesis generation' whereas textual narrative synthesis is more likely to make transparent heterogeneity between studies (as does meta-ethnography, with refutational synthesis) and issues of quality appraisal.
[Editors' note: the author responses to the first round of peer review follow.] We are happy to report that we have been able to address the reviewers' concerns and suggestions, which were quite useful in helping substantiate our hypothesis and strengthen the narrative.
