Can Watching Fictional TV Series Boost Social Cognition?

You’ve likely heard the common belief that reading fiction is beneficial, while watching TV series is often dismissed as unproductive. But what about fictional TV series? Could they have a positive impact on empathy and theory of mind compared to non-fictional documentaries? Researchers Lenhart and Richter (2024) explored this question through a series of experiments to determine whether fictional TV series, which depict human lives and inner experiences, could enhance these cognitive and emotional abilities.

Study overview

In the first two studies, with a combined total of 366 participants, university-aged students were randomly assigned to watch either fictional TV series (3 episodes in total) or documentary series (3 episodes in total). These sessions were spread over a period of seven days (Study 1) and five days with a follow-up tests (Study 2). Participants' empathy and theory of mind were evaluated both before and after viewing the content, using established measures such as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). 

The third study involved 46 university-aged students in a controlled lab setting. Participants watched an increased number of episodes—five fictional TV series episodes or six documentary episodes—across four sessions over 7 to 10 days. Empathy was measured using the IRI as both a pre- and post-test, while theory of mind was evaluated using both the RMET and the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition as pre- and post-tests.

Findings

Across all three studies, researchers found no statistically significant improvement in empathy or theory of mind for participants who watched fictional TV series compared to those who watched non-fictional documentaries. These studies highlight the need for further research into the potential cognitive and emotional impacts of fictional TV series. 

For detailed information, please refer to the original article.

Lenhart, J., & Richter, T. (2024). Does Watching Fictional TV Series Increase Social-Cognitive Skills? Scientific Study of Literature. https://doi.org/10.61645/ssol.184

Picture Credit.

Family Television by Nick Banks