Print Reading Creates Stronger Story Maps, Neuro Study Finds

A Tokyo study using fMRI and manga found that reading on paper strengthens a reader’s mental map of a story and requires less brain effort than reading on a tablet, which triggered more activity in language and cognitive areas and slowed performance on questions requiring integration of the narrative. The results suggest print may support more efficient narrative comprehension, though researchers used manga to illustrate a general effect; earlier work also links print reading with closer parent-child bonding.