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Article published In:
Scientific Study of Literature
Vol. 8:2 (2018) ► pp.261–292

Relationships between fiction media, genre, and empathic abilities

| Kingston University
| Kingston University

Fiction enables readers to simulate the social experiences of characters and may facilitate prosociality. Research has indicated that fiction print exposure positively relates to empathy and may promote altruistic behaviors. Whether associations hold across different media formats and thematic genres remains unclear. This study took a multidimensional approach to both fiction engagement and empathic abilities. Specifically, it aimed to replicate previous findings that lifetime fiction exposure positively predicts empathy, and to extend this literature through an exploration of the relationships between media and genre formats, empathy and altruism. Participants (N = 404) completed a multidimensional task measure of fiction media exposure and answered questions about fiction engagement, empathic and altruistic tendencies. Results showed divergent associations between fiction format, genre, and empathic abilities, and fiction media exposure positively predicted the tendencies to become transported into narratives and to help others. Engagement with fiction formats and thematic genres may differentially support adults’ prosocial development.

Keywords: fiction exposure, narrative engagement, empathy, altruism, prosocial behavior, author recognition test
Article outline
  • Fiction effects on empathic abilities
  • Modes of fiction engagement
  • Literary and genre fiction
  • Toward a multidimensional approach
  • Method
    • Participants
    • Materials
      • Fiction media exposure
      • Empathic abilities
        • Altruism
        • Empathy
      • Media and genre preferences
      • Acting
      • Control variables
      • Demand characteristics
    • Procedure
    • Data analysis
  • Results
    • Demographic variables
    • Fiction media exposure
      • Regression analyses
    • Genre and media preferences
    • Acting experience
  • Discussion
    • Fiction-engagement content and processes
    • Limitations and future research
    • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 12 June 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ssol.19003.tur
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