Describes two experiments where participants read passages describing a character as consistent, inconsistent, or neutral with respect to the character's actions in the text. Finds that in experiment one, reading times for critical sentences were longer when description and action were inconsistent; in experiment two, resolution of global…

Studies how readers process text in the absence or presence of a relevant schema. Analyzes the results of a study in which subjects were required to read vague texts. Indicates that schemas affect on-line comprehension and that reading without a schema involves certain key strategies. (HB)

Notes that less skilled readers have difficulty suppressing active, but irrelevant, information during comprehension. Investigates whether the mechanism responsible for suppressing the inappropriate meaning of a word is an automatic process or a strategic, controlled one. Finds that less skilled readers may have difficulty executing a strategic…