Highlights
• Reading fiction activates distinct brain systems—motor, perceptual, and mental simulations—that make stories feel vivid and real.
• These brain activities strengthen regions involved in imagining actions, sensory experiences, and understanding others’ emotions, enhancing cognitive and emotional processing.
• Fiction reading boosts empathy by allowing you to mentally step into characters’ perspectives, improving social understanding and emotional intelligence.
» 5 mins read
Have you ever wondered about the benefits of reading fiction and what happens inside your brain during a captivating story? Reading fiction isn’t just passive entertainment – it actively engages multiple brain regions through immersive simulations. When you read, your brain performs motor simulation (imagining physical actions), perceptual simulation (re-experiencing sensory details), and mental simulation (understanding characters’ thoughts). But how exactly do these processes unfold in your brain? Neuroscientists have only recently begun exploring how the benefits of reading fiction are represented in the brain. Coverage of this topic has expanded across various media, ranging from broad psychological overviews to highly specific explorations – even examining how listening to audiobooks influences the brain. At Homo Fictus, we’ve also explored why and how the brain is wired to enjoy science fiction. In this article, however, we’ll focus on three specific brain systems identified by recent neuroimaging research that help explain how fiction reading deeply engages the mind.
How Reading Fiction Engages Your Brain
When you read a novel or short story, your brain lights up in unique ways. Research from Mak and colleagues (2023) shows that fiction triggers three types of brain activity: motor simulation, where you imagine physical actions; perceptual simulation, where you picture sensory details; and mental simulation, where you connect with characters’ emotions and thoughts. These processes work together to make stories feel vivid and real.
| Brain Activity | Definition |
|---|---|
| Motor Simulation | When your brain imagines performing physical actions described in a story, like running or lifting, as if you’re doing them yourself. |
| Perceptual Simulation | The process where your brain pictures sensory details from a story, such as colors, sounds, or textures, making the scene feel vivid. |
| Mental Simulation | Your brain’s ability to understand and feel a character’s thoughts and emotions, helping you connect with their experiences. |
The study involved 40 participants aged 18 to 43 who read short stories while undergoing functional MRI (fMRI1) scanning. In addition to brain imaging, participants completed questionnaires that assessed their level of engagement with the stories and their trait empathy. This approach provided insights into how the brain processes fiction, highlighting both the cognitive and affective benefits of reading fiction.
Key Brain Benefits of Fiction Reading
Fiction reading strengthens specific brain regions. Motor simulation activates your premotor cortex2 and supplementary motor area3, helping you visualize actions like running or jumping. Perceptual simulation engages your visual cortex, letting you “see” a story’s settings. Mental simulation involves your temporoparietal junction4 and medial prefrontal cortex5, deepening your understanding of characters’ feelings.
These pathways meet in the supramarginal gyrus6, a region in the brain that integrates sensory, emotional, and cognitive elements. This convergence helps you build a mental model of the story, making the benefits of reading fiction both cognitive and affective. You not only enjoy the story but also sharpen your ability to process complex information.
Why Fiction Boosts Empathy
One standout benefits of reading fiction is its impact on empathy. The study found that people with higher empathy and transportability – the ability to get lost in a story – show stronger brain activation during reading. When you relate to a character’s struggles or joys, you practice understanding others’ perspectives. This makes fiction a powerful tool for emotional growth.
Unlike non-fiction, fiction invites you to step into someone else’s shoes. By simulating characters’ inner worlds, you enhance your ability to empathize in real life. This fiction reading advantage can improve your relationships and social interactions.
Fiction does more than entertain – it reshapes how you think and feel. The narrative simulation process, where your brain mimics the story’s events, boosts your cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence. Whether you’re a casual reader or a bookworm, the brain benefits of fiction reading are accessible to everyone.
Pick up a novel today and experience these advantages firsthand. Your brain will thank you for the journey.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not offer recommendations, endorse specific practices, or serve as a basis for educational or therapeutic decisions.
This post is a summary of a peer-reviewed article published in a rigorous scientific journal. For full details, methodology, and context, please refer to the original publication cited here: Mak, M., Faber, M., & Willems, R. M. (2023). Different kinds of simulation during literary reading: Insights from a combined fMRI and eye-tracking study. Cortex, 162, 115-135. DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.01.014.
Technical Terms
- Brain imaging technique that measures activity by detecting changes in blood flow. ↩︎
- A brain area that helps plan and imagine physical movements, activated when you read about actions in a story. ↩︎
- A brain region that supports imagining and coordinating movements, working alongside the premotor cortex. ↩︎
- A brain area involved in understanding others’ thoughts and feelings, key for relating to story characters. ↩︎
- A brain region that helps you process emotions and make sense of social situations in stories. ↩︎
- A brain area that connects sensory, emotional, and cognitive information, helping you build a complete mental picture of a story. ↩︎