Highlights
• Science fiction benefits include stimulating curiosity by introducing uncertainty, which the brain finds rewarding when it resolves.
• Violation of intuitive physical laws (like time travel) triggers brain adaptation, enhancing engagement through surprise and discovery—another key science fiction advantage.
• Personality trait “Openness to Experience” and socioeconomic factors predict who enjoys science fiction most.
» 4 mins read
Science fiction benefits readers by fostering resilience, curiosity, and imagination. However, less attention has been given to how exactly science fiction sparks curiosity and imagination (cf. The Psychology and Neuroscience of Curiosity)—and whether all readers truly enjoy and benefit from engaging with the genre. This raises an interesting question: Why do some people find stories about interstellar travel, time machines, or alien civilizations so fascinating, while others don’t? A new study by Edgar Dubourg and colleagues (2024) at the Institut Jean Nicod (École normale supérieure, Université PSL, Paris) sheds light on the psychology and neuroscience behind this divide.
Curiosity: The Core of Science Fiction Benefits
At the heart of science fiction is curiosity. When you read a sci-fi story, you step into an unfamiliar world. That uncertainty wakes up your brain. You begin asking questions: What’s going on? How does this world work? Your brain likes solving these puzzles. As you begin to understand the story’s world, your brain rewards you. That reward comes in the form of dopamine, a chemical that supports learning and pleasure.
This mental reward system means that reading sci-fi feels exciting. You’re not just being entertained — you’re satisfying a deep mental need to explore and understand.
If you’re interested in the benefits of science fiction, you might find this article engaging. It discusses how watching science fiction movies can enhance creativity. However, it also highlights that the effect may not be equally distributed among individuals, some may benefit more, while others less.
When Fiction Defies Reality
Science fiction often breaks the rules of how things usually work. Think about stories where people teleport, travel through time, or talk to aliens using advanced technology. These ideas violate what psychologists call “intuitive physical laws” — basic expectations about the world, like gravity or cause and effect.
At first, these violations can feel strange or confusing. But as the story continues, your brain adjusts. You make sense of the new rules, and your curiosity kicks in again. That process — from confusion to understanding — is deeply satisfying. It’s one reason why science fiction benefits your brain more than many other genres.
Who Enjoys Science Fiction the Most?
Not everyone loves science fiction equally. Research shows that a personality trait called Openness to Experience strongly predicts interest in sci-fi. If you’re high in this trait, you’re likely to enjoy abstract thinking, novelty, and complexity — all of which are common in science fiction.
Economic factors also influence sci-fi interest. People in wealthier societies, where basic needs are met, are more likely to seek out new and stimulating experiences. This includes reading or watching science fiction. Interestingly, science fiction may not only reflect technological progress — it might inspire it. Sci-fi often sparks new ideas and innovations, creating a feedback loop between imagination and real-world change.
Why Is Science Fiction Important?
Science fiction is more than just entertainment. It mirrors how your brain works when facing novelty and uncertainty. When you read sci-fi, your mind actively builds new understandings, learns new ideas, and adapts to unexpected situations.
This genre engages you on a cognitive level. It invites you to explore what could be, not just what is. That’s why science fiction benefits go far beyond escapism. It can sharpen your thinking, nurture your imagination, and even shape how you view the future.
If you’re someone who enjoys complex ideas, mystery, and futuristic concepts, the science fiction benefits for your brain can be especially rewarding. Research suggests that your enjoyment isn’t random — it reflects how your brain is wired to respond to curiosity and wonder.
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: Dubourg, E., Thouzeau, V., & Baumard, N. (2024). The psychological origins of science fiction. Poetics, 102, 101862. DOI: 10.1016/j.poetic.2024.101862.