While reading the article, “ Nerd Alert: Reading is Good For Your Health,” published by Jen Christensen from CNN.com, I found that multiple studies conducted on the effects of reading showed an increase in empathy. A study from the Trends in Cognitive Science show compelling evidence towards reading increasing empathy. In addition, multiple credible professors and students agree with this statement. My intent in this paper is to convey the important effects on reading into the many discussions of the general population.
“Books can literally change your life and they don’t all have to come from the self-help shelf to work. Fiction may actually be more powerful, according to a new study running in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences.” This quote from the article clearly explains why people are thinking reading builds empathy. An example is from my own life. When I seek advice or a life guide. I have found …show more content…
By having children and adults reading more to gain empathy, bullying could decrease. This is important because most people have easy access to books. By people reading bullying could decreased because people's’ empathy would increase allowing them to put themselves in a bullied person shows. People could understand how it would feel to be bullied daily and hopefully take a stand to prevent and stop bullying. In addition, bullies could discover what the effects on the person are, this could cause the bully to realize that bullying is unethical and not right.
From examining this article written about literature increasing empathy, I can understand how increased empathy is important in the world for multiple reasons such as decrease in bullying, depression, suicide, and anxiety. Also the increase of ethical actions, kindness, and respect. By reading a book for as little as twenty minutes a day people can increase empathy, which can make the world a better and safer