Leiden University Scholarly Publications

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Mulder, H.N.M. de; Hakemulder, F.; Berghe, M.A.J. van den; Berkum, J.J.A. van (2017)

Effects of exposure to literary narrative fiction: From book smart to street smart?

Article / Letter to editor
Literary narrative fiction may be particularly effective in enhancing Theory of Mind (ToM), as it requires readers to contemplate author and character intentions in filling the literary ‘gaps’ that have been suggested to characterise this fiction type. The current study investigates direct and cumulative effects of reading literature on ToM using confirmatory Bayesian analyses. Direct effects were assessed by comparing the ToM skills of participants who read texts that were manipulated to differ in the amount of gap filling they required. Cumulative effects were assessed by considering the relationship between lifetime literary fiction exposure and ToM. Results showed no evidence for direct effects of reading literature on ToM. However, lifetime literary fiction exposure was associated with higher ToM, particularly cognitive ToM. Although reading a specific piece of literary fiction may thus not have immediately measurable effects on ToM, lifetime exposure to this fiction type is...Show moreLiterary narrative fiction may be particularly effective in enhancing Theory of Mind (ToM), as it requires readers to contemplate author and character intentions in filling the literary ‘gaps’ that have been suggested to characterise this fiction type. The current study investigates direct and cumulative effects of reading literature on ToM using confirmatory Bayesian analyses. Direct effects were assessed by comparing the ToM skills of participants who read texts that were manipulated to differ in the amount of gap filling they required. Cumulative effects were assessed by considering the relationship between lifetime literary fiction exposure and ToM. Results showed no evidence for direct effects of reading literature on ToM. However, lifetime literary fiction exposure was associated with higher ToM, particularly cognitive ToM. Although reading a specific piece of literary fiction may thus not have immediately measurable effects on ToM, lifetime exposure to this fiction type is associated with more advanced ToM.Show less
Author recognition test
Bayesian analyses
Literariness
Literary gaps
Literary narrative fiction
Theory of Mind
All authors
Mulder, H.N.M. de; Hakemulder, F.; Berghe, M.A.J. van den; Berkum, J.J.A. van
Date
2017
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
129 - 169
DOI
doi:10.1075/ssol.7.1.06dem