Reading comprehension is an active inferential process. Three experiments are described in which the possibility was examined that highly probable inferences are drawn, even when they are unnecessary for comprehension. (Author/RM)

Determines the relationships among Piaget's construct of operative comprehension, self-concept, and science achievement, and reports a positive correlation between them. (GA)

Reports a study designed to determine whether instruction via compressed speech produces anxiety in listeners and concludes that anxiety increases as presentation rate increases. (MH)

Questions three assumptions about the diagnosis and correction of reading problems. (MKM)

A set of decoding tests and picture-word interference tasks was administered to third and fifth graders to explore the relationship between single-word decoding, single-word semantic processing, and text comprehension skill. (BRT)

A sample of 120 first and second graders read and recalled sentences comprised of logograph symbols. Those children who did not demonstrate cognitive integration of the symbols subsequently recalled fewer items and failed to retain the semantic and syntactic structure of sentences. (Author/JMB)

Examination of the effect of two linguistic factors on kindergarten through fourth-grade students' understanding of idioms indicated that the younger subjects better understood syntactically frozen idioms than those presented in various syntactic forms, while older subjects comprehended both kinds. (Author/CB)

Two experiments investigate children's knowledge about attentional capacity limits. Preschool children aged three and four years are asked to choose whether they will listen to pairs of stories simultaneously or one at a time. Results demonstrate a preference for listening to one at a time. (Author/RWB)

Re-examines the function of second language acquisition and learning by redefining the terms "acquisition" and "learning" in the context of the classroom. This redefinition, known as the binding/access framework, has several advantages for instruction: it incorporates both lexical and grammatical acquisition, it clarifies the…

Examines the pattern of eye movements of skilled adult readers when encountering a surprise ending to a story. Suggests that processing at the discourse level must be considered as an influence on the eye movement control system. (NKA)

Reports on a study investigating the effect of prior knowledge of written prose in intact, topic sentence deleted, and topic sentence and concluding sentence deleted conditions, and advances a methodology for determining prior knowledge. (FL)

Investigates effects of illustrations on 11-year-olds' comprehension of abstract and concrete passages. Reveals no significant effects due to the illustrations, although ability effects were found for literal, inferential, and total comprehension. (DF)

Approximately 500 nonscience major university chemistry students were surveyed to record their interpretations of specific chemical symbolism before presenting modern concepts of atomic and molecular structure, in an attempt to understand the thought processes entering students use as they interpret symbolism. Results are reported and discussed.…

Offers three explanations drawn from language and literature theories about what happens when people read: (1) receiving sense, (2) finding sense, and (3) making sense. (EL)

Outlines the concept of working memory, with particular reference to a hypothetical subcomponent, the articulatory loop. Discusses the role of the loop in fluent adult reading, then examines the reading performance of adults with deficits in auditory verbal memory, showing that a capacity to articulate is not necessary for the effective…