Question
Answer and Explanation
"POV" typically refers to "Point of View." When discussing it, especially in fields like literature, film, or psychology, several key theories and perspectives emerge. Here are some prominent ones:
First-Person POV Theory: This is a narrative perspective where the story is told from the viewpoint of "I" or "we." It provides a subjective experience, limited to what the narrator knows, feels, and perceives. This can create immediacy and intimacy with the reader or audience, but also unreliability if the narrator is biased or flawed.
Second-Person POV Theory: Using "you" as the central character. This is less common in narrative but can be found in choose-your-own-adventure formats or when making a direct appeal to the audience. It directly engages the reader or viewer, making them feel as though they are a participant in the story.
Third-Person POV Theory: Narrated with "he," "she," or "they." This perspective offers more flexibility. It can be objective, where the narrator is an outside observer without access to characters' thoughts (Third-Person Objective), or it can be omniscient, providing insight into the minds of all characters (Third-Person Omniscient). A third option is limited, providing only the perspective of one character (Third-Person Limited), offering some of the intimacy of first person while retaining distance.
Psychological Theories: From a psychological perspective, POV ties into how individuals construct their perceptions and interpretations of reality. Cognitive psychology focuses on how biases and prior experiences can shape a person's point of view. The concept of "theory of mind" describes how we understand that others have distinct thoughts and viewpoints. Each individual’s perspective is unique and filtered through their personal lens.
Film Studies Theories: POV in film also draws upon specific technical and artistic elements such as shot angles and camera movement. Subjective POV shots, where the camera represents the character's viewpoint, are designed to draw the audience into a particular character's experience. The theories about framing and visual cues are crucial in understanding how point of view is portrayed visually.
These theories provide a framework for analyzing how perspective shapes our understanding of stories and the world around us.