Suggests that many puzzling reading problems are a by-product of assuming that reading is a process, demonstrates that such puzzling, unresolved questions can be answered, and poses some new questions concerning reading. (JM)

Reports four experiments which contrast the levels-of-processing perspective (holding that the durability of memory traces is a function of the depth to which items are processed) with the transfer-appropriate-processing perspective (holding that encoded events are always represented in a semantic memory code). (MM)

Examines the issue of what makes information important by examining the influences of three factors--category membership, normative relative importance, and goal-relatedness. Finds that all three factors influenced the perceived importance of information to some extent; however, normative relative importance influenced writing tasks more strongly…

In a model of the functioning of short term memory, the encoding of information for subsequent storage in long term memory is simulated. In the encoding process, semantically equivalent paragraphs are detected for recombination into a macro information unit. (HOD)

Critiques Fleming's proposed alternative to Rubenstein's evidence for phonemic encoding. This reanalysis strengthens the evidence for phonemic encoding and suggests that Fleming's "alternative" should be considered as another source of variance affecting recognition, not as a mutually exclusive alternative to phonemic encoding. (HOD)

Reports on two experiments which examined whether normal and disabled readers differed in the ability to use orthographic structure information to process printed material. Finds that disabled readers use orthographic structure information as much or more than normal readers. (MM)

Examines eye movement patterns of adult readers as they encounter cross-sentence contradictions. Finds that both readers informed of the existence of contradictions and those not informed were aware of inserted contradictions, and that instructions to search for contradictions caused readers to alter their reading behavior. (RS)

To test the generality of the concreteness/strategy interaction, adult subjects were given concrete and abstract textbook passages to study by using either an imaginal or verbal strategy. (HOD)

Explores whether the interpretation of figurative passages presents a comprehension problem different from that of any difficult text. Indicates that although some abilities important in processing isolated figurative expressions carry over to figurative passage interpretation, these figurative-unique abilities can not definitively account for the…

Using recall for connected discourse processed under three semantic and three orthographic inference conditions as well as a control, hypotheses of superior delayed recall for semantic processing conditions and "reversals" from immediate to delayed recall were tested. (HOD)

Comprehension monitoring was investigated by asking college students to read and answer probed recall questions about passages that contained intentionally introduced confusions. Subjects failed to report a large number of the confusions and less than one quarter of the confusions were noticed during reading. (HOD)

Provides further evidence of the psychological importance of semantic roles for verbal learning and broadens the realm of earlier work with semantic roles by using connected prose rather than individual sentences. (HOD)

Investigates the spontaneous use of imagery and its relationship to free verbal recall. Finds that separate categories of imagery and verbal recall reports are not highly correlated. Finds that imagery did not decline after 48 hours, but that verbal recall declined. Suggests that a strict levels-of-processing view may be untenable for ecologically…

Maintains that progress in understanding reading is impeded when researchers working from different perspectives adopt the assumption of paradigm incompatibility. Argues that this assumption is false, and that progress toward a comprehensive understanding of the reading process would be hastened if investigators from all perspectives agreed to a…

Examines the effect of graphic, phonological, and graphic-and-phonological information on Chinese character identification by 22 Mandarin-speaking Taiwanese graduate students. Finds that graphic information plays an essential role in Chinese character identification, while phonological information does not enhance the accuracy of identification.…