Bookworm, Film-buff or Thespian? Investigating the relationship between fictional worlds and real-world social abilities

The notion that fiction benefits our social skills is gaining traction in empirical Psychology: studies have shown that exposure to fictional prose positively relates to empathic abilities, and recent research has indicated causal effects of fiction on our understanding of, and behaviour towards, others in the real world. However, people differ in the media they access and the stories they engage with, and yet the significance of medium and genre remain unclear. I will discuss the findings of a recent study showing divergent associations between fiction experience and and empathic abilities (perspective taking, empathic concern, fantasy and prosocial behaviour), and suggest that (i) medium and genre represent important areas for further inquiry, (ii) fiction exposure paradigms could benefit from media and genre dimensions, (iii) reading and comedy may particularly hone empathic skills. Finally, I will discuss the broader implications of the research for enhancing our understanding of fiction engagement processes and effects. Fiction is consumed via an increasing range of media, and this research represents a first step towards a comprehensive understanding of its social impact.