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NikolaiFyodorov · 4140 days ago · link · · parent · post: Reading literary fiction greatly enhances performance on Theory of Mind tests
Unsurprising to us, perhaps, but the ramifications are important. We now have peer-reviewed research which shows that literary fiction enhances the "skills and thought processes fundamental to complex social relationships - and functional societies". I'm tempted to send a copy of this to my local MP arguing the case for increased grant funding. Interesting that it's limited to literary fiction. A skeptic could probably argue that readers who head for the literary section of the bookstore are already more inclined to creative engagement and hence to perform well in ToM tests; the actual reading might therefore be incidental.