storydependent

Storydependent is an adjective used to describe phenomena, analyses, or systems in which outcomes, interpretations, or behaviors depend on the narrative context of a story. It contrasts with context-free or data-driven approaches that treat inputs without regard to their narrative structure.

In different fields, usage varies. In cognitive psychology, story-dependent memory refers to memory effects shaped by the narrative framing, sequence, or emotional arc of a story, and by cues present in the plot. In linguistics, story-dependent interpretation describes how plot information can bias the meaning assigned to utterances.

In artificial intelligence and human–computer interaction, story-dependent systems tailor outputs to align with the plot, characters, or goals described in a user’s story, ensuring coherence and relevance. This concept supports applications in narrative generation, interactive fiction, and user-adaptive tutoring, among others.

Limitations and notes: the term is informal and used variably across disciplines, which can lead to confusion. Distinguishing genuine narrative dependence from incidental context requires careful specification of what counts as part of the story and controlled comparisons in research and practice.

Related concepts include context dependence, narrative awareness, and plot-consistent processing. While not a single standardized term, storydependent serves to capture the influence of narrative structure on interpretation, memory, and system behavior.