Binge-Watching and Marathon Reading May Boost Memory and Imagination, Study Finds
Two studies in Acta Psychologica found that binge-watching TV shows and marathon reading make stories more memorable and heighten retrospective imaginative involvement, especially when readers pursue boundary expansion. How a story is perceived (enjoyed vs appreciated) shapes later imagination; more leisure time increases imaginative engagement, while higher stress reduces it. All participants were undergraduates, so results may not generalize to broader populations.