The Role-Playing Brain

The Role-Playing Brain: An fMRI Exploration of the Neural Foundation of Acting and Drama Therapy

Introduction

This study will explore the neural basis of fictional role playing, with the aim of comparing novices and professional actors, where a novice would represent the typical type of client in a drama therapy or psychodramatic setting. In addition, the study will examine potential brain differences between portraying familiar vs. fictional others in order to determine if psychodrama and drama therapy tap into similar or different neural mechanisms. The study will shed light on the brain mechanisms by which drama-based therapies are able to improve well-being.

Scope 

A primary aim of this study is to establish a brain signature for acting in novices in order to complement previous functional MRI work on trained actors. The research team will examine role-playing in the brain by having participants in an MRI scanner answer hypothetical questions from either their own first-person (1P) perspective or from a fictional first-person (Fic1P) perspective.

This is a new field of inquiry for which there are relatively few studies. The study will provide novel insights into the neural basis of role playing. It will reveal the areas of the brain that change when a person attempts to impersonate a fictional character or a familiar individual. The study may have clinical implications for drama-based therapies by developing a deeper understanding of the specific brain processing that occurs during role play.

It is expected that the study will take place during the course of 2025, with pilot testing beginning in February, data collection occuring in March through August, and data analysis and the writing of a manuscript by December.

Insights and Deliverables

The research team will complete the fMRI study over the course of 2025. The principal findings of the fMRI study will be submitted to scientific research journals and presented at research conferences in fields such as cognitive neuroscience and drama therapy. Simultaneously, the team will embark on a systematic review of the literature to understand the key mechanisms and outcomes of role play and acting for mental health and well-being. 

Project Team

Led by Dr Nisha Sajnani (JA&HL, NYU Steinhardt), Dr. Alexandru Berceanu (National University of Theatre and Film), and Dr. Steven Brown (McMaster University), the research team consists of members from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and National University of Theatre and Film. 

Funding and Support

Support for this project was provided by the Ilse Melamid Health Equity Fund.

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