It turns out that there really is nothing like a good book. Neuroscientists using MRI machines have been doing a lot of looking at human brains to see what changes take place when the brain’s owner has certain experiences. They have identified the sections of the brain that are in use when the owner participates in various activities and so they have associated certain parts of the brain with certain functions. For instance they know what parts of the brain are stimulated when somebody detects an odor, hears a sound or feels a texture on their skin. it was revealed that researchers are studying how the brain handles reading. Using an MRI they have learned that reading stimulates the language processing portions of the brain but also stimulates the portions of the brain associated with the content of the passages being read. Reading about eating stimulates the language processing section of the brain as well as the sections responsible for the senses of smell and taste. It has also been seen that the more eloquent the writing the stronger the stimulation.
We’ve always told you good literature is almost like being there and now we can see the proof that this is true. The brain doesn’t see much difference between experiencing something and reading an excellent description of it. These findings and others have brought about a greater understanding of the marvelous role literature can play in our lives and has reinforced the long held belief that literature can transport, enrich and improve us. Read the whole article for more insights on literature that have been discovered through MRI based brain research. It is fascinating!
Published on April 5, 2012.
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