How to Use Story Telling for Behavior Modification
Storytelling is an art and a method of communication that humans have used since ancient times. Storytelling gives context and meaning to ideas, principles and histories. Popular children’s literature is full of stories that clearly intend to influence behavior, but this is evident in many books intended for adult audiences as well. Many of these stories are inspirational, but others can feel manipulative. Nevertheless, when authentically delivered, storytelling can be a powerful tool to help influence behavior positively. Here are some tips for how to use storytelling successfully for behavior modification.
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Instructions
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Create or retell stories that are specific to the person and the situation of concern. Using storytelling for behavior modification in children, for example, you could create a simple story about a boy named John biting his friend, Mike. For adults, you could share a true story of an experience and explain how it was resolved.
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Give each story three key parts. The first part will set up the context of the story and introduce the main characters. The second part will introduce the conflict in the story—the problem the characters must solve or the moral dilemma they must overcome. The third part will be the resolution of the conflict. Don't force it, though. Most people naturally structure stories this way.
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Consider creating makeshift books for younger audiences with illustrations, photographs or images from magazines. Images are powerful tools to help engage children in storytelling. Include pictures of the child or the involved parties whenever possible. You can punch holes in the side and use string to create a do-it-yourself binding, staple one side or head to a copy shop if you’d like to make the book a keepsake. See Resources for a great website about self-publishing.
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Observe yourself and others. You will likely find that many people use storytelling in casual conversation all the time without even trying. Notice ways that storytelling influences you and ways that you use storytelling to influence others.
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Deliver your stories in a nonjudgmental tone. Let the story take the listener or reader in, but do not try to force or manipulate the message that the listener or reader receives. Storytelling is a wonderful and powerful tool and has merit on its own. Trying to control the message the recipient receives misses the point.
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