In cognitive psychology, how does the use of a first-person point of view in a written excerpt typically affect the reader's cognitive processing?

• A. It increases the reader's sense of personal involvement and empathy with the narrator.
• B. It encourages the reader to adopt a more objective and detached perspective.
• C. It makes the reader more likely to focus on external details rather than internal thoughts.
• D. It reduces the reader's ability to remember the events described in the excerpt.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of 'point of view' in cognitive psychology, which refers to the perspective from which information is presented and how it influences the reader's mental engagement.
2. Step 2: Recognize that a first-person point of view uses pronouns like 'I' or 'we,' which typically create a direct connection between the narrator and the reader.
3. Step 3: Analyze how this direct connection can lead to increased personal involvement, making the reader more empathetic toward the narrator's experiences and emotions.
4. Step 4: Contrast this with other points of view, such as third-person, which may encourage a more objective or detached perspective, focusing on external details rather than internal thoughts.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the first-person perspective enhances the reader's emotional engagement and empathy, rather than reducing memory or promoting detachment.