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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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Eye-tracking to Distinguish Comprehension-based and Oculomotor-based Regressive Eye Movements During Reading
Published on: October 18, 2018
Eye movements and word skipping during reading revisited
Denis Drieghe1, Keith Rayner, Alexander Pollatsek
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. denis.drieghe@ugent.be
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance
|November 3, 2005
Summary
Readers skip predictable words, showing parafoveal vision recognition. Skipping nonwords also occurs, indicating partial information processing during reading.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Reading Science
Background:
- Word skipping is a common phenomenon in reading.
- Understanding the factors influencing word skipping is crucial for reading models.
- Parafoveal and foveal vision play key roles in visual word recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate word skipping behavior in reading.
- To determine the role of parafoveal preview in word skipping.
- To examine the effect of foveal processing load on word skipping.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted to study word skipping.
- Experiment 1 compared skipping rates for predictable word previews versus nonword previews.
- Experiment 2 manipulated foveal load and examined skipping of target words and nonwords.
Main Results:
- Higher skipping rates were observed for predictable word previews, suggesting parafoveal recognition.
- Skipping rates decreased with higher foveal load.
- Skipping of nonwords similar to target words indicated processing based on partial information.
Conclusions:
- Parafoveal vision enables recognition of predictable words, leading to skipping.
- Foveal processing load influences word skipping behavior.
- Reading involves processing information based on partial visual cues.
