Back where I belong: Rereading as a risk-free pathway to social connection.

Abstract

Although extensive research has explored individuals’ engagement with media, the topic of elective reexposure to narratives remains underexplored. The ability of fictional narratives to meet social needs may help explain the appeal of rereading, as well as individual differences in the tendency to reread. We present a measure of the tendency to reread books and examine associations between the tendency to reread and other individual difference factors. Our findings suggest that the tendency to reread is a construct that is unique from the tendency to read in general, and that it is associated with unfulfilled belongingness needs, insecurity about social acceptance, deep engagement with narrative worlds, and other distinct personality characteristics. These findings suggest that the tendency to reread may signal a heightened tendency to engage with narratives to fulfill unmet social goals.

Cognitive exploration drives engagement and re-engagement with imaginary worlds, but not spatial exploration as predicted by evolutionary theory

“…Although the prevalence of re-engagement with imaginary worlds challenges the primary thesis of the target article, it actually fits rather well with the pattern of associations observed for Openness and Extraversion. The tendency to re-read is driven by Openness (Ministero, Green, Gabriel, & Valenti, 2021), which supports our proposal that cognitive exploration is responsible for the appeal of imaginary worlds. Extraversion does not predict the tendency to re-read, suggesting that neither the general exploratory preference represented by Plasticity, nor the spatial exploration manifested by Extraversion, can explain the appeal of imaginary worlds.…”

Simulation, stories, and fictional worlds

“…This detailed worldbuilding should increase transportation and narrative collective assimilation. Indeed, research from our laboratory suggests that more time spent in a narrative world, the more likely one is to assimilate to it and feel connection (Ministero, Green, Gabriel, & Valenti, 2022). Furthermore, some realistic fictional worlds may resemble one's real life too much to allow the reader to truly mentally escape to the imaginary world and become a part of it, bypassing the specific pressures, threats, and prejudices that exist for many in more realistic worlds.…”

Why imaginary worlds? The psychological foundations and cultural evolution of fictions with imaginary worlds

“…In contrast to the D&B's emphasis on the primacy of exploration, our research finds that imaginary worlds are appealing even when they are familiar, as evidenced by the frequency with which individuals re-read and re-watch favorite stories. Revisiting a familiar narrative world provides comfort and predictable emotional experiences for readers, qualities which may be especially appealing to individuals with unfulfilled social needs (Ministero et al, 2022). For some individuals, being a fan of particular books, movies, or television series may create a sense of belonging through both repeated exposure to the narrative as well as connections with others who share their enthusiasm (Vinney, Dill-Shackleford, Plante, & Bartsch, 2019).…”