# The influence of exposure to foreign literature on Chinese readers’ out-group attitudes: the sequential mediating role of emotional investment and cultural empathy

## TL;DR

Reading foreign literature helps Chinese readers develop more positive attitudes toward other groups by increasing emotional and cultural empathy.

## Contribution

This study identifies emotional investment and cultural empathy as sequential mediators linking foreign literature exposure to out-group attitudes.

## Key findings

- Exposure to foreign literature predicts positive out-group attitudes directly and indirectly through emotional investment and cultural empathy.
- Emotional investment in foreign narratives enhances cultural empathy, which improves attitudes toward diverse groups.
- Carefully selected literature and structured educational approaches can maximize the positive impact on readers’ intercultural attitudes.

## Abstract

This study examines the impact of exposure to foreign literature on out-group attitudes among Chinese readers.

A sequential mediation model is tested, and the effect of exposure to foreign literature on out-group attitudes is mediated by emotional investment and cultural empathy. The study included 799 Chinese readers of foreign literature. Participants’ ages ranged from 19 to 48 years, with a mean age of 34.72 (SD = 5.03). Using a sequential mediation model, we explored how foreign literature might indirectly shape attitudes toward diverse social groups through heightened emotional and empathetic engagement.

The exposure to foreign literature significantly predicts positive out-group attitudes, both directly and indirectly. Specifically, emotional investment in foreign narratives facilitates a personal connection to characters from different backgrounds, enhancing cultural empathy and, in turn, more favorable out-group attitudes.

Our findings highlight that foreign literature is a valuable medium for fostering intercultural empathy by providing readers with indirect experiences of diverse cultural perspectives. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of carefully curated literary selections and structured educational approaches to maximize the positive impact of foreign literature on readers’ attitudes. These results contribute to understanding literature’s role in promoting inclusivity, with implications for educational practices that foster empathy and reduce prejudice. Future research should continue to investigate the specific genres, themes, and teaching techniques that most effectively cultivate cultural empathy and open-mindedness in an increasingly globalized society.