Uglier Fonts Could Mean Better Information Recollection

Most textbooks and e-readers tend to follow the same idea when it comes to their fonts: Easier to read means easier to absorb and recall later. Looks like they were wrong.

A new study from Princeton University says those simple fonts might cause to you retain less. A font that’s easy to read lets your brain relax, so the information doesn’t stick as well. Harder to read fonts cause your brain to work that little bit harder. The extra effort tells your brain the information might be worth remembering. [Daily Mail via Engadget]

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(4 Comments)
  • [–]

    Peter Santone

    Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    What about annoying fonts dare I say…. Comic Sans ?! *vomits in mouth a little bit*

  • [–]

    LucasF

    Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    That’s cool. When I read the headline I thought “Yeah Duh!” – because if you have to think more about reading each word your brain is going to have more of a chance to absorb it all. Too lazy to jump to the article (not to mention drunk) but this effect would surely wear off quite quickly as you got used to the font. Still…good to know. MacGyver would bother to remember it and so will I!

  • [–]

    glennc

    Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    really has to depend on how much text you have to read.

  • [–]

    mahmoud nassar

    Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    nice

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