Reading fiction may be the most powerful mental exercise, enhancing empathy and curiosity, contrary to the belief that non-fiction is more beneficial.
Weekend Reading Habits Differ
On weekends, some people watch series, others go on outings or play sports, while many read serious books on personal development or management. However, those who spend their days thinking often choose to read novels instead, immersing themselves in stories without taking notes or seeking explicit lessons.Non-Fiction as a Popular Choice
Most readers who want to "become more intelligent" turn to non-fiction, such as economic essays, business books, and guides on self-organization. This choice gives the impression of being responsible, and at the end of the weekend, one can feel that time has been well spent.Novels Seen as Less Productive
"People who earn their living by thinking spend an entire Saturday afternoon immersed in a novel, without taking notes, and do not get anything out of it that they can summarize at work on Monday," says psychologist Mark Travers for Forbes. This seems to be the least productive activity on their agenda. Yet, it may be more beneficial to their thinking than the books they are proud to have finished.Fiction as a Mental Exercise
To clarify these apparently unproductive hours, cognitive scientist Keith Oatley compares fiction to a flight simulator in an article published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences. A novel allows one to spend time in the head of another without the risks of a real error.Understanding Others Through Fiction
Researchers refer to the theory of mind to denote this ability to guess what someone thinks or desires. By following several characters at the same time, the reader keeps in memory what each knows or ignores and what he himself perceives additionally.Mental Exercise Beyond the Page
This mental exercise does not remain confined to the pages. In daily life, it helps understand that a colleague has accepted a decision against his will or that a friend who replies "it's fine" actually hopes to be contacted again. Reading fiction forces one to hold several points of view in parallel for a long time: that of the character, that of the others around him, and that of the reader who sometimes sees what none of them have yet perceived.Fiction Encourages Curiosity
Recent research highlights another mechanism, less visible but central. Psychologists describe a trait called cognitive closure need: the discomfort with ambiguity and the tendency to quickly adopt a reassuring explanation.Fiction Reduces the Need for Certainty
A study published in Scientific Reports shows that people highly rated on this trait mainly seek out individuals who think like them and avoid discordant voices, especially when the environment is uncertain. Non-fiction reduces uncertainty by stating a thesis and then proving it. Fiction, on the other hand, maintains shadow areas and open endings, and trains one to remain curious when one does not yet understand everything.The Value of Letting Go
Whether it is a classic or a psychological thriller, in print or audio book, the essential thing is to let oneself be carried by the story rather than trying to profit from the reading. This apparently useless time can deeply transform the way one thinks about others and complex situations.
