The discussion about psychoanalysis reminded me of a question I wanted to ask about what I feel like a gap in the landscape of empirical psychology. Now the felt miss could be just due to my ignorance, in which case I will welcome the enlightenment !

People in the humanities (psychoanalysts included) seem much better than empirical psychologists at making up good narratives. Of course, it is a part of their job requirement, but on the other hand, finding out what makes a good story and the emotions that can be expected of it is a scientific problem. Shouldn't empirical psychology try to reclaim it ? There will certainly be no shortage of data to analyse.

If the above really isn't a subject of scientific inquiry, that would be quite a paradox, given the time we spend enjoying fiction, the impact it has in our lives and the fact that story-telling has become a multi-billion industry. So, does the psychology of narration exist ?