Bookworms, take heart. Two studies reveal significant health benefits as a result of reading books. We’ll discuss one study in this blog and tackle the second one next week.
In December 2013, Emory University’s website reported the results of its study on how fiction novels enhance brain function. The study, titled “Short and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain,” explored the health benefits of reading fiction over nonfiction.
What they did
The study’s authors wanted to see if reading fiction novels would enhance brain function. Twenty-one students participated in the experiment, which began with a resting state functional MRI (fMRI), performed five consecutive days, to detect areas of brain activity by blood flow. This was followed by a nightly assignment to read 30 pages of the 2003 thriller “Pompeii,” chosen by researchers because of its gripping, page-turning plot. Each morning after a reading assignment, students were given a quiz to ensure they had read the material, followed by an fMRI of their brain. An fMRI was also performed for five straight days after the students finished the book.
What they found
The researchers discovered that reading a novel improves brain connectivity and function. And the benefits do not happen only as the story is being read: brain scans showed the participants’ brains were still engaged the day after, as though the brain was still processing the story.
In order to understand the significance of the findings, you must first understand that the human brain is a densely connected network, with about 70 percent of the brain connected to all other areas. While most areas of the brain areas “know” each other, some areas have greater influence than others. Brain functions take place across various areas rather than a single region of the brain. Because of this, a person’s behavior requires interaction (connections) between multiple brain areas.
Which brings us back to the Emory University study. Gregory Berns, the study’s lead author, explained the importance of their research this way:
“The neural (nervous system) changes that we found…suggest that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the (story’s hero or heroine.) We already knew that good stories (could) put you in the shoes in a figurative sense. Now we’re seeing that something may also be happening biologically.”
This ability to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes (even those of a fictional character) improves what’s known in psychology as “theory of mind,” or our ability to understand that others have beliefs and desires different from our own. This, in turn, creates empathy for people in the real world. Think about that: relating to a book’s fictional main character can help us (adults as well as children) feel compassion towards people who are different from ourselves. Those who have developed theory of mind are better able to socialize, which is important to the health of everyone, especially older adults.
The take away
The novel’s storytelling engages multiple areas of your brain, helping you to think better and more efficiently. So it’s important to read fiction on a regular basis to reap the rewards.
To help with this endeavor, Meth-Wick’s Book Club hosts interactive discussions between a library volunteer and our residents on a variety of topics. Whether you are a solo reader or one who enjoys a stimulating group discussion, you’ll be pleased to know new books are added monthly to each of our three on-campus libraries.