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Article published In:
Scientific Study of Literature
Vol. 11:1 (2021) ► pp.108–141

An investigation into the relationship between fiction and nonfiction reading exposure, and factors of critical thinking

ORCID logo | University College London

Reading fiction has been associated with improved social and imaginative reasoning that could lead to improved critical thinking. This observational study investigated the relationship between fiction and nonfiction exposure, narrative transportation, and factors of critical thinking (critical thinking disposition, and epistemological orientation). Self-selecting participants (N = 335) completed an online survey including an author recognition test and self-report scales. Fiction scores were significantly associated with higher critical thinking disposition, while nonfiction had an inverse effect correlating with lower disposition. Fiction reading was associated with decreased absolutism, and nonfiction score conversely with higher absolutism. Total and nonfiction print exposure were associated with lower multiplism, with no significant association for fiction. Total and fiction print exposure were associated with higher evaluativism, with no significant association for nonfiction. Narrative transportation mediated some of these relationships. These findings provide a basis for further research into reading fiction and nonfiction, and critical thinking.

Keywords: fiction, print exposure, narrative transportation, critical thinking, epistemological orientation, critical thinking disposition
Article outline
  • Reading and critical thinking
  • Narrative transportation and critical thinking
  • Critical thinking disposition
  • Epistemological orientation
  • Correlating fiction and nonfiction reading with CT disposition and EO
  • Method
    • Participants
    • Measures
    • Procedure
  • Results
    • Descriptive statistics
    • Modelling CT disposition
      • CT disposition model selection
      • CT disposition model results
    • Mediation by NT upon CT disposition
    • Modelling EO
      • EO model selection
      • EO model results
        • Absolutism
        • Multiplism
        • Evaluativism
        • Mediation by NT upon EO
        • Mediation upon absolutism
        • Mediation upon multiplism
        • Mediation upon evaluativism
  • Discussion
    • Wider issues and limitations
  • Conclusions
  • References
Published online: 17 December 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ssol.20014.hol
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