Patterns and preferences in recreational reading

Abstract

There is a dearth of information available regarding the nature of material which is self selected for recreational reading. Evidence from some studies strongly suggests that reading as an activity is in a significant decline (e.g., Hill 1985; Zill & Winglee 1990). Information about the personality characteristics of those who do read is also lacking. It is important that educators, librarians, and others concerned with reading as an activity understand the reading patterns and preferences in the community, and among students, so that policy decisions can be made. In the absence of previous research to serve as a guide, this questionnaire study was designed to address, among other issues, that of which individual characteristics might vary among readers of varieties of material. Relationships among the following variables were investigated: amount and nature of reading, attitudes to reading, measures of social resources, scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and basic demographic information. © 1995 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.