Love to read? You could have ‘enhanced empathetic abilities’

Book worms listen up!

It turns out your love of reading could actually have a huge effect on your personality.  

According to Marie Claire, researchers at Kingston University surveyed 123 people and asked whether they preferred reading books, watching TV or going to the theatre before putting their interpersonal skills to the test.

The results revealed that book-lovers came out on top when it came to their ability to express empathy towards others. 

Researchers at the British Psychological Society explained, ‘Exposure to fiction relates to a range of empathetic abilities.’

‘Engaging with fictional prose and comedy in particular could be key to enhancing people’s empathetic abilities.’

But that's not all.

Marie Claire also revealed that a separate study conducted by online dating service, eHarmony, found that users received more messages when mentioned they certain books in their profiles.

Apparently, women are more likely to message men who mention the following:

  1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 

  2. 1984 

  3. World War II 

  4. The Da Vinci Code 

While men showed an increased interest in women you mentioned the following works of fiction:

  1. The Hunger Games 

  2. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 

  3. A Game of Thrones 

  4. To Kill a Mockingbird 

  5. Pride and Prejudice 

  6. Harry Potter series 

  7. Lord of the Rings series

Be right back – just digging up our library cards. 

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