New studies using an MRI machine to track the flow of blood in the brain show how close reading of literacy texts increases multiple complex cognitive functions.
In this experiment, participants were asked to alternate between reading sections of Jane Austin for pleasure and for literacy analysis. It was noted that both types of reading stimulated a flow of blood in the brain, although to different sections, and in the latter case, this was significantly higher.
This study indicates the importance of using literary analysis, or close reading of texts, as a form of cognitive training. It also gives a far richer perspective on the brain’s response to the arts.
Diana Taylor
retired psychotherapist
The Futurity article says ". Experiment participants are first asked to skim a passage leisurely as they might do in a bookstore, and then to read more closely, as they would while studying for an exam."
'Skim leisurely' has become 'for pleasure' in this article. It just may be that skim reading uses a lot less of the brain, and different parts of the brain, than pleasure reading.
This is a nice example of another article in Conversation...https://theconversation.edu.au/sick-of-medical-spin-dont-just-blame-the-media-9538.