The Relationship Between Reading and Empathy: Integrative Literature Review
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to learn about the main investigations addressing the relationship between reading fictional texts and empathy among children and adolescents. Through an integrative review of the scientific literature in the SciELO, ERIC, and PsycInfo databases, from 2009 to 2020, 21 articles were analyzed. The analysis carried out showed a predominance of intervention studies, followed by case studies and correlational studies. The samples were mainly composed of students, although some also include the perceptions of teachers, parents and legal guardians. Different facets of the relationship between reading and empathy were identified. Studies emphasized both the contribution of reading to the development of empathy as the contribution of empathy to the initial learning and development of reading comprehension. A considerable part of the study was carried out in the North American context, pointing to a gap in the Brazilian scenario.
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