Study: You are what you read

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Find yourself reading a book and getting completely lost in the characters well a recent study says we actually start to act like the fictional characters.

With whom we identify and joining us now with some insights into this.

Is psychotherapist doctor Robby let Rick thank you so much for joining us replenish our new study says that the brain really doesn't differentiate between what you've actually experienced and what you read about it's called experience speaking yes I love that and we think about it -- If you read jasmine or the words so.

Here olfactory centers in the brain start to get stimulated.

So really the brain doesn't make that much of a difference because the neurons in in the brain identify with what -- reading so this is good according to the study in some ways because it means that if you read about characters who are admirable in normal that you actually start to take on those characteristics but.

There's a dark side and let's look at a quote from the study's lead author Jeff Kaufmann who says if you think about something like American Psycho.

The characters very likable and charismatic but he's just a killer to the extent that you connect with him.

And they -- to understand or justify the actions he's committing some double edged sword.

Might -- you're identifying with the characters you're merging with then you're getting into their brain and it's really.

A theory of mind and that's -- people who read these kinds of novel.

Ten to interact with people in a better wake as I understand people they're more in -- back.

Because their understanding.

How the human mind works how other people.

Think and strategize.

See you really do get insight into human interaction.

And what's interesting is that the study says this only applies to the written word it's not the same if you just watch a movie.

-- think about it when you're reading it's -- quiet moment you almost become the character when you think about being excited when a romantic hero.

Finally gets there man you really are feeling when they are feeling so there's a strong identification.

So what a TV series where it's not just one shot like a movie but you're getting attached to these characters over the course does still -- the same -- it's different because you're observing in -- more of a spectator.

So that feels different you're you're more in the audience you might identify that it's -- a different kind of way it's not -- into it right so how -- -- pictures when you're reading and writing your own mind which makes it very strong very very personal when you think about it make it more of your -- So as a mom I'm wondering well I guess have to be careful what I have my son read -- -- to identify with the right characters full I think it is important for moms to know this and to pick the right bucks an inspiring books where.

Your child can identify with heroes and proper moral value is and that all contributes to their psyche.

Iowa good advice -- -- -- very interesting study thank you so much.

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Study: You are what you read

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