Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
05:54
Eye-tracking to Distinguish Comprehension-based and Oculomotor-based Regressive Eye Movements During Reading
Published on: October 18, 2018
5.9K
Skipped words and fixated words are processed differently during reading
Michael A Eskenazi1, Jocelyn R Folk
1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44224, USA.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|June 29, 2014
Summary
Skipped words during reading are sometimes not fully processed, leading to longer reaction times in later tasks. This finding challenges some models of reading and word processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Computational Linguistics
Background:
- Models of reading eye movements propose different levels of word processing for fixated versus skipped words.
- Serial processing models suggest full processing of skipped words, while parallel models allow for less processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether skipped words are processed differently than fixated words during silent reading.
- To test predictions derived from serial and parallel processing models of reading.
Main Methods:
- Participants silently read sentences containing target words while eye movements were recorded.
- A repetition priming lexical decision task was used to assess word processing after reading.
- Target words were three-letter, low-frequency, unpredictable nouns.
Main Results:
- Reaction times in the lexical decision task were significantly longer for words that were skipped during reading (656.42 ms) compared to fixated words (614.43 ms).
Conclusions:
- The results suggest that skipped words may not always be processed to the same extent as fixated words.
- This provides evidence against strict serial processing models and supports theories allowing for variable processing of skipped words.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Language and Cognition
874
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
874
01:25Learning Disabilities
696
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
696
01:30Information Processing Approach
882
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
882
01:10Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon
715
The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a cognitive experience characterized by a temporary inability to retrieve specific information from memory despite having a strong feeling of knowing the information. Although individuals cannot access the target word or detail, they frequently recall related elements, such as its initial letter, syllable count, or context. This partial retrieval often causes frustration, as one might recognize a familiar face or know that a name starts with a specific...
715
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
6.0K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
6.0K
01:15Subconsciousness and No Awareness
856
The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
856