Add to the list of advantages when you love books: those who read are more sensitive and polite, according to a new study.
Spending a long time with your nose between articles and novels, helps people look at things from a different perspective, pushing them to better understand others.
The study was conducted by Kingston University in London, which tested the interpersonal skills of 123 participants, defining a significant difference between those who were fans of television, video games and books.
The volunteers completed a questionnaire, which helped the researchers understand their ability to observe the feelings of others and their willingness to help them. According to the results, readers are more likely to act positively in society, than those who like to have fun with television. Meanwhile, television enthusiasts were less friendly and willing to accept the opinions of others.
In the "reader" category, however, a distinction must be made: in determining emotional intelligence, the preferred genre plays an important role. The study found that fantasy fans have more positive social behaviors, while readers of dramatic and romantic books are more compassionate. Book lovers are more able to see things from different perspectives, while comedy enthusiasts scored the highest score in relationships with others.
The researchers gave their explanation for these results: immersion in different worlds created by the authors, make readers see the world through their eyes and through those of the characters, which helps a lot to open their minds and understand their feelings. that can provoke the actions of people, who are different from us. "Exposure to storytelling enhances a range of empathic skills," the researchers commented. "Engaging in fantasy and comedy, in particular, can be a key to developing this behavior."