How literature can help us develop empathy | Beth Ann Fennelly | TEDxUniversityofMississippi

Summary

This talk explores the decline in humanities majors, particularly English, and emphasizes the value of literature in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence. The speaker discusses how reading literature can enhance brain activity, improve social awareness, and reduce bias by allowing readers to inhabit diverse perspectives. Studies are cited, including one showing that reading helps children and adults overcome racial prejudices. The talk concludes with a passionate defense of literature's ability to connect people emotionally and spiritually, offering both personal fulfillment and a broader understanding of the world.

Takeaways

• 📉 English majors, like other humanities, have been in decline since 2011, with fewer students opting for these subjects due to practical concerns, especially after the 2008 recession.
• 💰 The rising cost of college tuition is pushing students towards vocational majors that promise better financial stability.
• 🧠 Reading literature can boost empathy, as proven by studies showing a decline in empathetic behaviors in today's students compared to previous generations.
• 📚 Literature helps readers develop emotional intelligence by forcing them to put themselves in the shoes of characters, practicing decision-making and judgment.
• 👀 The 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' test suggests that regular readers are better at interpreting emotions, thus improving their social awareness and empathy.
• 🧠 Neuroscientific studies show that reading fiction activates various areas of the brain beyond just language processing, making the experience more immersive and cognitively stimulating.
• 📖 Fiction, unlike nonfiction, engages multiple senses in the brain, such as motor and olfactory regions, making readers feel as though they are truly experiencing the story.
• 🤝 Reading diverse perspectives through literature can reduce biases, as demonstrated in studies where participants became less likely to stereotype after reading emotionally engaging excerpts.
• 🧒 Reading literature about social issues can improve children's attitudes toward stigmatized groups, as seen in the study involving 'Harry Potter' and its impact on immigrant attitudes.
• 📚 Beyond vocational success, studying literature enriches emotional, cognitive, and spiritual development, providing personal fulfillment and societal benefits.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The transcript discusses the decline in the number of students majoring in English and other humanities subjects, examining the practical reasons for this trend and exploring the connection between reading literature and empathy.

What is cited as one of the reasons for the decline in English majors?

One reason for the decline in English majors is the high cost of college tuition, which leads students to choose more vocational majors that are perceived as offering better job security.

How does the speaker relate empathy to the study of literature?

The speaker explains that reading literature, particularly complex narratives, helps readers develop empathy by allowing them to practice understanding characters’ emotions and perspectives, which can translate into better emotional intelligence in real life.

What evidence is provided to support the claim that reading literature enhances empathy?

A study called the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' test is mentioned, where participants had to identify emotions based on images of eyes. Regular readers scored higher, suggesting that reading helps people become better at understanding others' emotions.

What surprising result was found in the fMRI study involving students reading Jane Austen?

The fMRI study found that not only did the language processing areas of the brain light up when students read Jane Austen, but other areas such as the motor cortex also became active, showing increased brain connectivity beyond just language comprehension.

How does reading literature affect racial bias, according to the transcript?

The transcript mentions a study where participants who read a rich, sensory description from a novel involving racial prejudice were less likely to display racial bias compared to those who read a factual synopsis of the same story.

What effect did reading Harry Potter have on children’s attitudes toward stigmatized groups?

A study in Italy found that children who read a passage from Harry Potter dealing with racial prejudice showed improved attitudes toward immigrants, indicating that literature can influence how young readers perceive marginalized groups.

Why does the speaker advocate for reading literature, especially for policymakers?

The speaker advocates that reading literature can help policymakers develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the people affected by their decisions. Imagining a world where leaders read novels to understand different perspectives before making policy decisions is presented as a way to create a more harmonious world.

What is the hedonistic reason the speaker gives for reading literature?

Beyond the cognitive and emotional benefits, the speaker emphasizes that reading literature is enjoyable, comparing the experience to savoring a novel's 'sweet juice' and suggesting that reading is both pleasurable and fulfilling.

How does the speaker suggest people can reconnect with themselves through reading?

The speaker suggests that reading helps people find themselves and others, offering an escape from loneliness and providing solace through the shared human experiences found in literature. They quote James Baldwin, who said reading reveals that personal pain and heartbreak are not unprecedented.