Is reading non-fiction not useful at all? Fiction reading, non-fiction reading, and adolescents’ prosocial behavior

• Main Authors: Ai, Pengya, Zhang, Heng
• Other Authors: Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS)
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Sociology; Adolescents; Fiction; Non-Fiction; Book Reading; Prosocial Behavior
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/168036
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: Researchers in the field of media now focus more on new media (e.g., social media, video games) than on traditional media, especially print media (e.g., books). However, for students, paper books remain an indispensable part of existence. Books are essential to the existence and education of adolescents. However, how do books affect their prosocial behavior? This study assessed the relationship between fiction reading, non-fiction reading, and prosocial behavior in Chinese adolescents (N = 631). Methods: In 2021, one junior and one senior secondary school in a middle-sized East Chinese city participated in this survey. We randomly chose participants from each grade at each school to cover all six grades, and the study included 631 adolescent. Results: Contrary to previous studies, we found that reading non-fiction is positively related to prosocial behavior through the mediation of social norm, and perspective-taking. In contrast, reading fiction was not significantly associated with social norm, perspective-taking, and prosocial behavior. Conclusions: The findings provide a novel comprehension of the effects of reading on prosocial behavior from the perspective of a different method and cultural context. This research provides valuable insights into the intervention of adolescents' prosocial behavior and book and reading policies.