Reading Harry Potter Makes You a Better Person, and Science Proves It

Reading the Harry Potter books can lead to many things, including random cravings for Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, an undying longing for a Nimbus 2000, and that glimmer of hope for finally receiving an acceptance letter to Hogwarts via owl mail. But beyond that, getting lost in the best-selling series can have a powerful impact on your character, and science proves it.

A study published by the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that children who read the series have more positive attitudes toward stigmatized groups of people, such as "immigrants, refugees, and homosexuals." After studying groups of elementary, high school, and college students who had read the fantasy novels, the research concluded that the storyline's use of "intergroup relations" causes readers to be more open-minded and less biased against minorities.

Throughout the series, Harry comes in contact with many Muggles, Muggleborns, and wizards who are not pure bloods, who are seen as outsiders in the novels (he himself is a marked man, and an outsider in many ways). Rather than shunning them, Harry shows the underdogs empathy and friendship. The study proved that this same compassion is inherent in readers who identify with Harry as the protagonist of the series.

This research goes hand in hand with related findings that people who read JK Rowling's magical books are more likely to disapprove of Donald Trump. Maybe we should consider anonymously mailing the POTUS his own copy of the series . . . Accio compassion!