Scientists have found that binge-watching TV series helps memory and develops imagination

Researchers from the University of Georgia have concluded that the habit of watching TV series several episodes at a time or reading books in one sitting can have a positive effect on cognitive processes. According to their data, this format of perception helps to retain the plot in memory longer, and also stimulates the imagination, since a person continues to mentally experience the story and get involved in it even off the screen.

Scientists note that active work of the mind during immersion in the plot helps to satisfy basic psychological needs, including the desire for autonomy, a sense of security and the formation of an emotional connection with other people. Lead author of the study Joshua Baldwin emphasized that characters and events become a tool for obtaining an emotional experience that persists after viewing.

The benefits are especially noticeable when getting acquainted with multi-episode projects with a large number of characters and complex plot lines, where it is important to grasp the relationships and remember details. At the same time, the researchers clarify that the impact on mental health directly depends on the person himself, the chosen content and the conditions in which he interacts with the story.