Ohio State University study links reading to increased empathy

A new study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University suggests that certain narrative techniques in literature can enhance a reader's willingness to forgive others. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, examined the impact of a technique known as ‘internal focus.’

Through three online experiments involving 1,563 participants, researchers found that accessing a character's private thoughts and emotions—rather than just observing their outward actions—influences how readers judge behavior. In one test involving a story about a technician's mistake, participants were more likely to forgive the character when they could read his internal feelings of remorse, scoring an average of 7.3 out of 10, compared to 6.3 for those who only heard his verbal apology.