Why Complex Books Are Crucial for Personal Growth

Finally, a seemingly obvious fact has been confirmed: it is useful to read complex books.

Simple books contain fewer abstractions; they use simple words and include trivial details. Psychologists and neuroscientists have shown that these trivial details affect the brain in unexpected ways. The reading brain does more than just translate and extract the meaning of words as symbols. It involves zones dedicated to hearing, sight, smell, and movement to simplify its work.

Scientists refer to the processing of information in many areas of feeling and movement as “grounded cognition.” This means that readers mentally model sensations and movements conveyed in simple words. When working with complex words and abstractions, the brain does not shift responsibility to the areas of movement, hearing, and taste perception. It takes longer for the brain to perceive complex text, and it involuntarily has to learn.

For decades, most scientists did not believe in grounded cognition, as they thought people’s brains worked like digital dictionaries. According to their view, the visual regions in the back of the head translated letter symbols and handed off the words to language-processing regions. The language regions, especially Wernicke’s area on the left side of the cortex, performed machine-like retrieval of word definitions, which helped in understanding what people were saying.

However, recent studies show a more complex picture. Readers engage the same parts of their brains that process specific sensations and movements in real life. For instance, Alfonso Barrós-Loscertales’ research reveals that basic words like “salt” activate not only language circuits but also those for taste.

Furthermore, concrete words, particularly nouns and verbs, are better understood by readers than abstract ones. This is because concrete words are processed faster by the brain. In one study, scientists found that readers reacted almost one-tenth of a second faster to nouns like “wallet” and “hospital” than to “saga” and “rarity” during experiments.

The brain is always trying to conserve energy and resources, so it tries to simplify tasks as much as possible. When reading simple words, the brain can use the same areas that are responsible for processing sensory information from the environment, which makes the task easier and more efficient. However, when dealing with complex words and abstract concepts, the brain may need to activate other regions that are better suited for dealing with language and symbolic processing. This takes more time and effort, but it allows us to understand and work with more complex information.

Using simple words and trivial details can be an effective way for a writer to communicate with their audience. When a writer uses language that is easy to understand, they have a greater chance of reaching a wider audience and ensuring that their message is understood. By including trivial details, the writer can also help the reader to visualise the situation being described and become more immersed in the text. This immersion can lead to a deeper understanding and connection with the subject matter.

According to Arthur Glenberg, a psychology professor at Arizona State University and a pioneer in demonstrating grounded cognition, effective communication is when the writer can stimulate the same sensory, motor, and other actions that the reader has experienced earlier in life. This creates a simulation in the reader’s brain and draws them into the text.

When a reader is presented with simple words and trivial details, it becomes easy for them to read and understand the text. However, the downside to this is that the reader’s consciousness is not fully engaged, and they only perceive what is written on a subconscious level. As a result, important and thoughtful ideas in the text fail to register in their memory and mind, and they are left with only a vague sense of sensations and emotions. On the other hand, when a reader tackles more difficult books, they are forced to engage their consciousness fully to understand and process the information. The more challenging the book, the more the reader has to learn, think critically and actively engage their minds.

As Emanuel Lasker once said, “The only way to get smarter is to play with a stronger opponent.” Similarly, reading difficult books is the best way to challenge your mind and increase your intelligence. When you read challenging texts, your mind has to work harder to understand and interpret the ideas presented. The result is an increase in your cognitive abilities, which can benefit you in many ways, including in your academic and professional pursuits. Therefore, if you want to expand your knowledge and sharpen your intellect, don’t shy away from difficult books — embrace them as a way to stimulate your mind and grow as a person.

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