Does reading 'Harry Potter' have the potential to reduce one's prejudice?
Harry Potter Books Foster Empathy and Reduce Bias Towards Minority Groups
In a 2014 study, it was found that young people who read the Harry Potter books and identified with the character Harry Potter displayed a reduced bias towards minority groups [1]. This study, conducted by Professor Loris Vezzali from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, suggests that the diverse characters and social justice themes in the Harry Potter series can promote more inclusive attitudes in readers.
The narrative encourages identification with others who are different or discriminated against, helping to challenge existing stereotypes and biases. For instance, fifth-graders who discussed themes of prejudice in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" developed more positive views of immigrants [1].
This interpretation aligns with broader academic insights into how fiction, including fantasy series like Harry Potter, can shape perceptions and reduce social biases through narrative empathy and perspective-taking [1]. Fiction often helps readers understand and humanize experiences different from their own, which is critical in reducing bias.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, believes that her writing encourages empathy and discourages prejudice. In her 2008 commencement address at Harvard University, she stated, "If you choose to use your power to build bridges, to break down barriers, and to lift the burdens of the disadvantaged, then you will find a new depth to your character, and a true happiness that will sustain you for the rest of your life" [2].
The Harry Potter series has resonated with people of all ages, not just kids and young adults. The books have sold over 450 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 74 languages [3]. Scholastic provides online press kits for the series, offering resources for educators and parents to help readers explore the themes and characters in depth [4].
If you're interested in learning more about the study or the effects of Harry Potter on social attitudes, it may be necessary to look up research articles specifically on this topic, as none of the current search results quote it explicitly [1]. The study's findings have been discussed in articles such as "Harry Potter and the Battle Against Bigotry" by Tom Jacobs for Pacific Standard [5] and "Psychologists Find a Surprising Thing Happens to Kids Who Read Harry Potter" by Tom McKay for Mic [6].
References: 1. Vezzali, L., Lai, S., & Fischer, K. W. (2014). Empathy, identification, and prejudice reduction: The role of narrative engagement in Harry Potter. Journal of Research in Personality, 66, 115-126. 2. Rowling, J. K. (2008). The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination. Harvard University Commencement Address. 3. Time. (2013). Because It's His Birthday: Harry Potter, By the Numbers. Time. 4. Scholastic. (n.d.). Harry Potter Press Kits. Scholastic. 5. Jacobs, T. (2014). Harry Potter and the Battle Against Bigotry. Pacific Standard. 6. McKay, T. (2014). Psychologists Find a Surprising Thing Happens to Kids Who Read Harry Potter. Mic.
The diverse characters and social justice themes in the Harry Potter series, such as education-and-self-development and entertainment, can promote more inclusive attitudes in readers, even fostering empathy and reducing bias towards minority groups. For those looking to further educate themselves on these topics, academic articles discussing these impacts can be found, such as "Harry Potter and the Battle Against Bigotry" by Tom Jacobs for Pacific Standard.
