The Empathy of Fiction: Exploring Connections

This chapter examines how lifetime exposure to fiction influences cognitive empathy and our understanding of others through the lens of 'theory of mind'. It discusses the complexities of causation in the relationship between fiction reading and social cognitive skills, alongside children's storytelling preferences and evolving taste from realism to fantasy. The chapter also highlights the role of character traits in engaging readers, the interplay between creativity and science in writing, and the significance of community and fandoms in enriching the fictional experience.