Syntactic prediction during self-paced reading is age invariant

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Linguistics

Background:

• Previous research on reading comprehension and aging has focused on word-level predictions.
• The impact of aging on syntactic structure prediction during reading remains largely unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related differences in the ability to predict upcoming syntactic structures.
• To compare the benefits and costs associated with syntactic prediction in young versus older adults.

Main Methods:

• A self-paced reading study involving 60 young and 60 older adults.
• Sentences were designed to make noun-phrase coordination predictable using the word 'either'.
• Analysis focused on reading times to assess prediction benefits and costs.

Main Results:

• A benefit was observed when 'either' appeared later in the coordination phrase, aiding prediction.
• A cost was found when 'either' appeared earlier, potentially disrupting prediction.
• No significant age differences were found in the magnitude of these benefits or costs.

Conclusions:

• Both young and older adults demonstrate similar capabilities in making syntactic predictions during reading.
• The cognitive mechanisms underlying syntactic prediction appear to be preserved in older age.
• Findings suggest age invariance in syntactic prediction strength and difficulty.