This paper gives a short analysis of the nature of reading. Though it is generally believed that reading involves perceiving the written form of language, the term reading has not been clearly defined up to date. It is possible to see reading as a process, or to examine the product of that process. Three reading models, namely Bottom-up Model,…

Examines Ronald Carver's statement of theory (see article in same issue) from a metatheoretical perspective. (JM)

Reports that reading researchers are now debating whether reading is a bottom-up or top-down process. (FL)

This report provides an overview of concept and principle-learning studies and traces the theoretical basis for schema theory, which asserts that all knowledge is assimilated into a general cognitive framework. The procedures of an original study are described, which was designed to test the hypothesis that the inclusion of a "domain…

Four experiments were conducted to determine whether staging, or the prominence given to various segments of information through manipulation of prose structure, affects recall of the content of prose passages. In all of the experiments, pairs of passages were used in which members of each pair had identical content but different staging patterns.…

Explores factors that influence readability and a reader's ability to process information. (TO)

Offers suggestions to help teachers facilitate comprehension before, during, and after reading. (FL)

Research findings from autopsy studies, neuroimaging, functional imaging, and electrophysiological measures specific to dyslexia have provided a better understanding of the reading process, particularly as it applies to individuals with dyslexia. Evidence from these studies pertaining to the neurological origins of dyslexia is reviewed, and…

Defining mathemagenics as adjunct aids that can be used in textual situations to enhance learning, this paper places a new perspective on mathemagenics research as well as on practical considerations derived from that research. Specifically, the paper addresses two questions: (1) Which explanatory concepts--degree of processing, selective…

The main experience of an ideal reader while reading a text is an "envisionment" of that text, a representation in the reader's mind of the content of the text. According to this view the envisionment grows and sometimes changes as the reader progresses through the text, and the ideal reader not only updates and supplements the…

Much of the current research in reading processes has been aided by movements in experimental psychology known as information processing psychology, cognitive psychology, and cognitive science. The information processing movement has contributed three important ideas: (1) Logogen theory of a cognitive response unit that is sensitive to the set of…

Reviews research establishing the pervasiveness of the teacher variable, and discusses a new hypothesis for reading teacher research--that both the teaching and the learning of reading are theoretically based. (JM)

Notes the continuing shortcomings of reading research, in spite of the best efforts of many able persons. Theorizes on the reasons for these failures. (FL)

Reports a study testing a hierarchical theory postulating that the literal reading comprehension process can be divided into separate skills that are distinguishably different from each other and which are hierarchically related. (TO)