I read something similar to this while researching the concept of catharsis or purification in Aristotle. Basically, if you identify with a character in a play, which is often the case, you can "experience" the same events as the character and learn the same lessons. That's why the movies are so emotionally engaging. So they can make us laugh at times, or cry, or get angry, etc. The point was always to reward the morally good character and punish the more "evil" character.
I haven't read his Poetics though.
I think "identify" is the key word here because, in a certain way, I would dare to say that this is a concept that also applies in psychology, since humans tend to identify with the things they love. Fans identify with their favorite team or with the celebrity of the moment, mothers with their children, and lovers with each other. Thus, they can feel what the other feels.
It is a deeply interesting topic for me.
Precisely... A more recent example of the effect that these "identifications" have on us would be the "50 shades" saga. While it is not brainwashing in its most aggressive form I would argue that it is more effective than aggressive brain washing. There is little resistance and far more integration of the desired effect due to the entertainment value of the presented piece of work.
I just think we should be conscious of the message that we are absorbing so as not to fail victim to undesirable rhetoric.