Neural and Behavioral Evidence for Differential Processing of Narrative Perspective in Novel Reading: An fNIRS Study

Narrative perspective and focalization mode constitute fundamental elements shaping readers’ cognitive and neural responses during novel comprehension. Despite their theoretical importance in narratology, empirical evidence for their distinct processing mechanisms remains limited. This study employed a multi-method approach combining self-paced reading (N = 103) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS; N = 37) to investigate how narrative perspective (first-person vs. third-person) and focalization mode (internal vs. external) influence reading processes, with emotional valence as a potential moderator. Behavioral results revealed significantly prolonged reading times for third-person narratives compared to first-person narratives, particularly in negatively valenced texts. This effect was most pronounced among individuals with higher social cognitive abilities (low Autism Spectrum Quotient scores). Neuroimaging findings demonstrated distinct neural signatures: first-person narration elicited enhanced activation in the left superior parietal lobule compared to third-person narration, suggesting heightened attentional engagement. Internal focalization triggered greater activation in the left frontopolar cortex relative to external focalization, with negatively valenced texts showing similar enhanced activation patterns in this region. These converging lines of evidence support theoretical distinctions between narrative perspectives and demonstrate that first-person narration possesses higher cognitive salience during processing, while internal focalization more effectively engages readers’ metacognitive and empathetic neural systems. The findings provide empirical validation for longstanding narratological debates and illuminate the neurocognitive architecture underlying literary comprehension.