The Reality of Cinema as Mass Media in Neuroscience Perspective: How Cinematic Works Affect the Human Brain and Psyche

Cinema remains a cornerstone of mass entertainment, consistently drawing large audiences. In Russia's entertainment landscape, cinema tickets rank second only to theatre and concert tickets, surpassing shows, museums, and sporting events in 2024. A Mediascope study from January to July 2024 reveals that films and TV shows dominate television viewing, accounting for 40% of all content watched by viewers aged four and older at home or in cottages. The allure of cinema partly stems from the unique ability to safely experience events that are impossible in real life. However, the psychological reasons behind our fascination with moving images on the screen are seldom explored through cognitive-communicative theories. This paper delves into the cognitive aspects that make cinema a compelling form of mass media. It identifies five phenomena contributing to cinema's realism: , "change blindness", "mirror image rule", "intersubject correlation", and "theory of mind". These phenomena help explain cinema's regulatory and recreational functions and its profound emotional impact. Moreover, cognitive insights reinforce the notion that cinema, in Marshall McLuhan's terms, is a "hot" medium — one that fosters complete immersion in the presented information. By examining these cognitive factors, we gain a deeper understanding of cinema's enduring appeal and its place within the broader media landscape.