Experience Taking in Reading Fiction

An English teacher just drew my attention to a recent study which demonstrates what many of us have probably suspected about ways in which identifying with a fictional character can alter one's behavior or perceptions of the world.  An interesting article is here.  Some researchers at Ohio State attempted to measure ways in which reading fiction can alter behavior in terms of concrete actions (like voting) and empathy with others who are different (eg different sexual orientation, race etc).  They found that factors such as first person versus third person narrative, creating easier identification with a character before exposing major differences etc had significant impacts on empathy and the way in which the reader was affected by the character.