Researchers conducted multiple experiments that showed that kids exposed to Harry Potter become better people.
The Harry Potter franchise seems to have been doing a lot more than just filling the pockets of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. According to science, it has also been making us better people.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology showed that people who have an emotional connection to the Harry Potter series and its characters are more tolerant towards minority groups.
Researchers presented 34 primary school kids with a questionnaire about how they felt towards immigrants. The kids were then divided into two groups. One group was asked to to read a scene about Draco Malfoy calling Hermione a “filthy little Mudblood,” while the other group was asked to read a neutral scene with nothing to do with prejudice.
After a week, the kids were asked questions about their feelings towards immigrants once more and the responses of one particular group completely changed. The kids who had read the scene with Draco Malfoy being mean to Hermoine had significantly improved their views on immigrants. While the group who read the neutral scene saw no change.
The researchers concluded that after being exposed to Malfoy’s hatred the children had began to show more tolerance and kindness.
A follow-up exercise was done with multiple groups of high school students and one group of students who read the scene of Draco being mean to Hermoine had better attitudes towards gay people. Another group had better attitudes towards refugees.
Lead author Dr. Loris Vezzali, a professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, said:
Harry Potter empathises with characters from stigmatised categories, tries to understand their sufferings and to act towards social equality.
So, I and my colleagues think that empathetic feelings are the key factor driving prejudice reduction. The world of Harry Potter is characterized by strict social hierarchies and resulting prejudices, with obvious parallels with our society.
Harry has meaningful contact with characters belonging to stigmatised groups. He tries to understand them and appreciate their difficulties, some of which stem from intergroup discrimination, and fights for a world free of social inequalities.
Looks like Harry Potter is making the world a better place.
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