Reading Fiction Increases Empathy

[kayla1080]

I just read an article on Happify that I thought I'd share called "5 Ways to Cultivate Empathy" and number 1 on the list is how people who let their minds wander into fictional worlds tend to be more empathetic. Researchers found that if a person engages in a fictional narrative and gets lost in a story, they experience changes in their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It makes sense that putting yourself in someone else's shoes may make you more empathetic.

Feel free to read the full article here:
http://my.happify.com/hd/5-ways-to-cult ... e-empathy/

I find myself reading self-help, biographies, and historical non-fiction a lot and oftentimes I forget how much fun it is to read fiction. Do you have a favorite fictional novel that I should read next?

[rssllue]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing! As far as a novel to read, I would recommend Black by Ted Dekker. It will definitely take your mind into another world. I hope you enjoy it!

[kayla1080]

That looks like an interesting book; I've added it to my queue. Thanks for the recommendation!

[gali]

What genre do you prefer? Have you read "Pride and prejudice"? It is my favorite book.

[rssllue]

That looks like an interesting book; I've added it to my queue. Thanks for the recommendation!

You are most welcome!

[kayla1080]

Hi Gali,
I know that "Pride and Prejudice" is a classic, but I haven't read it yet! I like pretty much everything but I'm a big Jack Kerouac and Chuck Palahniuk fan.

[GandalfTheFey]

Totally agreed! When you know about something you can understand it, and empathize. But due to my reading habits I just so happen to empathize best with wizards and farmboys with heroic destinies, so...

[kayla1080]

Hahaha, I love that!

[rssllue]

I think that you started a real interesting thread here. I hope more people give their input to it as well!

[LivreAmour217]

I totally buy into this! As some of you may already know, I have Asperger's Syndrome. I am considered high functioning and I can socialize pretty well, and I've always accredited this to the fact that I read tons of fiction as a child (and still do, of course!) Reading about a character's thoughts, emotions, and beliefs allows you to think outside of your own perceptions and consider the perspective of others.

[kayla1080]

Wow, that's so cool that reading fiction has helped you with Asperger's. My brother had Asperger's and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, although it's fiction, helped me empathize with him more!

[rssllue]

Wow, that's so cool that reading fiction has helped you with Asperger's. My brother had Asperger's and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, although it's fiction, helped me empathize with him more!

Is that book about Asperger's? If so, I would be interested in it. I have three cousins who have it to varying degrees.

[Ryan]

Hitler was an avid reader of fiction

[rssllue]

Hitler was an avid reader of fiction

Hopefully he is just an extremely radical outlier in this case!

[Ryan]

Hitler was an avid reader of fiction

Hopefully he is just an extremely radical outlier in this case!

Hopefully. Though, I seem to remember that the Marquis de Sade had a penchant for classical literature too.