How 'binge' watching TV series helps memory and imagination

If you've ever said to yourself, "Just one more episode and then go to sleep," you're not alone.

But contrary to popular belief, the habit of binge-watching shows can be beneficial. That's the conclusion of researchers from the University of Georgia.

According to a new study, those who watch films, TV series or read books in marathons are much more likely to mentally return to these stories. This translates into fantasising, daydreaming and making sense of the story long after the viewing is over. According to the authors, such engagement can have psychological benefits ranging from feelings of security to fulfilling a need for companionship and self-determination.

"Humans are creatures who live stories. Through them, we satisfy essential motivations: to be with someone, to feel control, confidence, security," says Joshua Baldwin, lead author of the study.

Binge watching promotes deeper memory of stories: the brain more easily connects storylines, characters, and denouements. This is especially noticeable when watching multi-episode shows with complex structures. Such viewers are more likely to return to the story in imagination and thought, even when the screen is already switched off.

"They actively engage with the story even after the viewing is over," Baldwin notes.

This mental "continuation" of the story can play a therapeutic role - for example, to help manage stress. The more vivid and meaningful the story is to the viewer, the longer it lives in their head.

A survey of participants showed that television shows are perceived as more memorable than books. But that doesn't mean that books lose out. It's just that a good amount of memory of the story is needed to activate the imagination - and it occurs when a person is fully engaged, for example, reading a novel from start to finish without interruption.

Although the topic of the impact of "binge" consumption of content on the psyche remains debatable, the authors of the study emphasise that everything depends on the context. It is important to take into account not only the content and volume, but also the psychological characteristics of the viewer.

"Media is neither good nor bad. It all depends on what exactly we are watching, why and in what state we are in," says Baldwin.

Thestudy was published in the journal Acta Psychologica and co-authored by Ezgi Ulusoy, Morgan Durfee, Rick Bussell and David Ewoldsen.