"Familiar fictional worlds" help restore willpower

taosaur · 08-26-2012, 09:35 PM

Several psych studies have made the news these last couple years with findings that self-control and decision making are limited resources that suffer badly if we 'use them up.' Some newly published research suggests that one way to fill the tank is by returning to "familiar fictional worlds," re-reading or re-watching favorite books, films and television, or new episodes in a favorite series. Study participants were found to perform better on tasks requiring effortful self control if they spent time with familiar works the night before, rather than watch or read something new.

The laypeoples version: http://io9.com/5937626/watching-reru...tore-willpower

The research paper: http://spp.sagepub.com/content/early...54889.abstract

Freeshadow · 08-26-2012, 10:02 PM

mind picture of someone behind his favourite book subtitled *out for vacation*
I always knew rereading 's a good thing.

Fluribus · 08-26-2012, 10:16 PM

One group lists the items in their room and the other is asked to talk about their favorite TV show. It seems to me that the first requires more effort and is less interesting. Maybe the study is measuring fatigue levels instead of willpower levels. Maybe the second group should be asked to list all the major and minor characters from their favorite TV show.

To me willpower is forcing yourself to do what you'd rather not do. Put the two groups on a diet and show me if there is any difference.

Since children will watch the same DVD 90 billion times, why are they not an unlimited font of self-control?

Freeshadow · 08-26-2012, 10:25 PM

The funny thing is:
The 1st question (room) I'd have answered with: "It's none of your business." the 2nd (TV) with: It's none of my business."

Andrew H. · 08-26-2012, 10:58 PM

I clicked through to the articles, and while they used the term "familiar fictional worlds," the study itself seemed to only involve people who watched television reruns. Which is similar in some ways and quite different in others from rereading.

taosaur · 08-26-2012, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

I clicked through to the articles, and while they used the term "familiar fictional worlds," the study itself seemed to only involve people who watched television reruns. Which is similar in some ways and quite different in others from rereading.

True. The extent to which you can turn your brain off while not only staring at the boob tube, but also watching something you've seen before, may just be effective relaxation. The researcher's analysis was that the restorative effect came from familiar fictional characters serving as "social surrogates," without the logistics and potential ill effects (lost sleep, hangovers, an argument) of actual socialization.

speakingtohe · 08-26-2012, 11:55 PM

It would usually require self control to start with to only watch reruns for me anyway.

Helen

QuantumIguana · 08-27-2012, 01:13 PM

The familiar fictional worlds didn't have to be repeats, new episodes of your favorite shows showed the same effect. So, for reading, the same effect might arise by reading the next book in a series rather than re-reading. I can have fun on vacation, but it also can be draining. I like getting back to my own house and my own couch. Sometimes you expand your horizons, sometimes you just need to tend your garden, so to speak. It doesn't mean your mind is turned off.

08-26-2012, 09:35 PM	#1
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	"Familiar fictional worlds" help restore willpower Several psych studies have made the news these last couple years with findings that self-control and decision making are limited resources that suffer badly if we 'use them up.' Some newly published research suggests that one way to fill the tank is by returning to "familiar fictional worlds," re-reading or re-watching favorite books, films and television, or new episodes in a favorite series. Study participants were found to perform better on tasks requiring effortful self control if they spent time with familiar works the night before, rather than watch or read something new. The laypeoples version: http://io9.com/5937626/watching-reru...tore-willpower The research paper: http://spp.sagepub.com/content/early...54889.abstract

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Restore "ask on delete" option	dotancohen	Calibre	9	05-14-2011 11:56 AM
"Restore to Default" placement	hapmas77	Calibre	0	09-22-2010 06:49 AM
Please restore the "free and inexpensive Kindle books"	kindlekitten	Amazon Kindle	5	11-30-2009 04:07 PM
James Wittenbach's "Worlds Apart" series	Robotech_Master	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	1	01-26-2009 12:34 PM

08-26-2012, 10:02 PM	#2
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	mind picture of someone behind his favourite book subtitled out for vacation I always knew rereading 's a good thing.

08-26-2012, 10:16 PM	#3
Fluribus Guru Posts: 891 Karma: 8893661 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	One group lists the items in their room and the other is asked to talk about their favorite TV show. It seems to me that the first requires more effort and is less interesting. Maybe the study is measuring fatigue levels instead of willpower levels. Maybe the second group should be asked to list all the major and minor characters from their favorite TV show. To me willpower is forcing yourself to do what you'd rather not do. Put the two groups on a diet and show me if there is any difference. Since children will watch the same DVD 90 billion times, why are they not an unlimited font of self-control?

08-26-2012, 10:25 PM	#4
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	The funny thing is: The 1st question (room) I'd have answered with: "It's none of your business." the 2nd (TV) with: It's none of my business."

08-26-2012, 10:58 PM	#5
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I clicked through to the articles, and while they used the term "familiar fictional worlds," the study itself seemed to only involve people who watched television reruns. Which is similar in some ways and quite different in others from rereading.

08-26-2012, 11:55 PM	#7
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	It would usually require self control to start with to only watch reruns for me anyway. Helen

08-27-2012, 01:13 PM	#8
QuantumIguana Philosopher Posts: 2,034 Karma: 18736532 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch	The familiar fictional worlds didn't have to be repeats, new episodes of your favorite shows showed the same effect. So, for reading, the same effect might arise by reading the next book in a series rather than re-reading. I can have fun on vacation, but it also can be draining. I like getting back to my own house and my own couch. Sometimes you expand your horizons, sometimes you just need to tend your garden, so to speak. It doesn't mean your mind is turned off.

Advert

Advert