Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind

Science. 2013 Oct 18;342(6156):377-80. doi: 10.1126/science.1239918. Epub 2013 Oct 3.

Abstract

Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies. Yet little research has investigated what fosters this skill, which is known as Theory of Mind (ToM), in adults. We present five experiments showing that reading literary fiction led to better performance on tests of affective ToM (experiments 1 to 5) and cognitive ToM (experiments 4 and 5) compared with reading nonfiction (experiments 1), popular fiction (experiments 2 to 5), or nothing at all (experiments 2 and 5). Specifically, these results show that reading literary fiction temporarily enhances ToM. More broadly, they suggest that ToM may be influenced by engagement with works of art.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Art*
  • Comprehension / physiology*
  • Empathy / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Literature*
  • Male
  • Psychological Tests
  • Reading*
  • Theory of Mind / physiology*