Reading Books Makes You Nicer, Study Finds

It’s widely known that reading makes you smarter. Books can take you to other worlds, faraway lands, or into the minds of characters vastly different than your own. But did you know that books can also make you nicer? In a study conducted at London’s Kingston University, researchers concluded that participants who were avid readers tended to be kinder than those who were not.

The Process

In 2017, Rose Turner, a post-graduate researcher at Kingston University, gathered 123 participants for a series of questions all centered around their preferences for TV, play,s and books.

Alongside the entertainment survey, participants also answered interpersonal skill-related questions, including consideration of others’ feelings and willingness to help someone in need. The test was conducted anonymously and featured participants of diverse demographics.

The Findings

After the research concluded, Turner, under the supervision of Dr. Fatima Felisberti, found that avid readers were more likely to conduct themselves in a positive social manner than those who preferred television. The readers produced greater rates of awareness compared to their TV counterparts and showed higher signs of empathetic behavior.

Television fans were found to be less friendly and tolerant of world views. Turner was clear to point out that the study did not prove cause and effect. It could be as simple as more thoughtful people being more interested in reading.

Genre Matters (A Little)

While readers scored higher in general, the research also concluded that the preferred reading content also played a part in scores. Readers of fiction scored highest in social interaction, while drama and romance fans scored the highest on empathy and understanding.

In the published research, they say, “Engaging with fictional prose and comedy in particular could be key to enhancing people’s empathetic abilities.”

Creating Buzz

Turner presented her findings at the British Psychological Society in 2017. What followed was a whirlwind of positive feedback from her research and viral news buzz. The world has long been interested in the psychological connections to reading.

Turner explains, “Reading is a universal pastime and we regularly hear about parents being encouraged to read to their children from a young age to help introduce them to language and develop their vocabulary. This study demonstrates that the different ways that people engage with fiction can impact their emotional intelligence and empathic behaviors.”