The effects of reading narrative fiction on social and moral cognition

Abstract

We present two experiments examining the effects of reading narrative fiction (vs. narrative non-fiction vs. expository non-fiction) on social and moral cognition, using a battery of self-report, explicit and implicit indicators. Experiment 1 (N = 340) implemented a pre-registered, randomized between-groups design, and assessed multiple outcomes after a short reading assignment. Results failed to reveal any differences between the three reading conditions on either social or moral cognition. Experiment 2 employed a longitudinal design. N = 104 participants were randomly assigned to read an entire book over seven days. Outcome variables were assessed before and after the reading assignment as well as at a one-week follow-up. Results did not show any differential development between the three reading conditions over time. The present results do not support the claim that reading narrative fiction is apt to improve our general social and moral cognition.

The year’s work in stylistics 2021

“…Furthermore, the authors argue that the research provides empirical evidence of the usefulness of removing racial slurs from literary texts with 'potential racist implications' (2021: 37). Mastropierro and Conklin's findings are related to those reported Wimmer et al (2021), who explored the effects of reading narrative fiction on social and moral cognition. The authors explored whether fiction can lead to improvements in moral cognitive abilities.…”

“…The authors explored whether fiction can lead to improvements in moral cognitive abilities. In a longitudinal study of 150 readers, Wimmer et al (2021) gave readers extracts of texts on varied themes including grief, immigration and friendship. They found that there was no empirical support for the claim that reading narrative fiction improves moral cognition.…”

Empathy & Literature

“…First, while changes in the valence of readers’ moral attitudes may in some cases be owed to genuine enhancements of awareness and sensitivity, in others they are better explained by simple observational learning: readers acquire morally positive and negative attitudes when, for instance, a story character is rewarded or punished for her actions, and young readers and children are particularly susceptible to such effects (Black & Barnes, 2021; Johnson et al, 2013a; Mumper & Gerrig, 2019). As Wimmer points out, “if such a pattern of reward is absorbed blindly, without attaining insight into principles of ethical conduct, readers could just as well acquire morally negative attitudes and behaviours when a story character is rewarded for a morally negative action or punished for a morally positive one” (Wimmer et al, 2021, p. 231). Attitudinal and evaluative shifts driven by observational learning of this kind will have little or nothing to do with empathy.…”

“…11 This lacuna in the research matters, for it may well be narrativity, not fictionality, doing the work of engaging us emotionally, prompting vivid, first-personal simulations, influencing our judgements, and shaping our moral motivations. Two recent experiments by Wimmer et al (2021) specifically set out to test that hypothesis by comparing the effects of reading narrative fiction, narrative non-fiction and expository non-fiction on social and moral cognition, using a battery of self-report, explicit, and implicit indicators. The first experiment assessed multiple outcomes after a single, short reading assignment.…”

Aesthetic Value of Immoral Fictions

“…3 See Wimmer et al (2021) for experiments showing that fi ction does not have cognitive effects on audiences.…”