A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology Review has found that avid readers have a small intellectual advantage over non-readers. While reading novels is often seen as a leisure activity, the research shows significant benefits associated with it. Two separate meta-analyses were conducted to understand the impact of reading on intellectual abilities.
The first meta-analysis examined 70 experimental studies where participants were randomly assigned to read novels or engage in other activities such as watching movies or reading non-fiction. The results showed that reading novels had a positive effect on intellectual abilities, particularly in empathy and theory of mind. This suggests that reading novels can improve one’s ability to see things from another person’s perspective.
In the second meta-analysis, researchers explored the connection between lifelong reading habits and thinking skills. This analysis included 114 studies with a total of 30,000 participants, and it revealed that readers were stronger in linguistic skills and general intellectual abilities like reasoning, abstract thinking, and problem-solving. Additionally, novel readers outperformed non-fiction readers in these skills.
While the research does not establish a causal connection between reading novels and intelligence, it does suggest that intellectually capable individuals may be more inclined to read. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm this causal relationship. Lena Wimmer, a researcher from Julius Maximilian University in Germany, emphasizes the need for more studies to explore the long-term effects of reading on cognitive abilities.
Overall, this study highlights the importance of incorporating reading into daily routines as a way to improve cognitive abilities and overall mental health.