How Fiction Makes Our Brains Better

Merriam-Webster declared 'science' the 2013 word of the year. But can reading something other than data and facts, say a work of fiction, help improve brain function? Anthony explains the many possible benefits that reading a fictitious book can have on the brain.

Read More:
A Novel Look at How Stories May Change the Brain
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140103204428.htm
"Many people can recall reading at least one cherished story that they say changed their life."

Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=novel-finding-reading-literary-fiction-improves-empathy
"The types of books we read may affect how we relate to others."

A novel look at how stories may change the brain
http://esciencecommons.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-novel-look-at-how-stories-may-change.html
"Many people can recall reading at least one cherished story that they say changed their life."

Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/brain.2013.0166
"We sought to determine whether reading a novel causes measurable changes in resting-state connectivity of the brain and how long these changes persist."

Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/342/6156/377.abstract
"Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies."

READING LITERARY FICTION IMPROVES "MIND-READING" SKILLS
FINDS A STUDY FROM THE NEW SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
http://www.newschool.edu/pressroom/pressreleases/2013/CastanoKidd.htm
"Heated debates about the quantifiable value of arts and literature are a common feature of American social discourse."

http://lifehacker.com/5965703/the-science-of-storytelling-why-telling-a-story-is-the-most-powerful-way-to-activate-our-brains
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-secrets-of-storytelling
http://www.wired.com/business/2011/03/why-do-we-tell-stories/

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year Is ... Science!
http://news.discovery.com/history/merriam-websters-word-of-the-year-is-science-131203.htm
"While the Oxford University Press honored "selfies" as its 2013 Word of the Year, celebrating those quickly snapped self-portraits, Merriam-Webster is taking a more academic approach to its annual linguistic spotlight."
Word of the Year 2013
http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/2013-word-of-the-year.htm
"The Word of the Year, with the greatest increase in lookups, may surprise many people: science."

Watch More:
Best Geek Reads 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMjhZ3vc55c
TestTube Wildcard
http://testtube.com/dnews/dnews-437-pets-make-us-healthier?utm_campaign=DNWC&utm_medium=DNews&utm_source=YT
Sherlock: Master of Science
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d67num8cp_c

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Видео How Fiction Makes Our Brains Better канала Seeker