Differentiating Text-Based and Knowledge-Based Validation Processes during Reading: Evidence from Eye Movements

Discourse Processes, vol. 58, pp. 22–41

Abstract

To build a coherent accurate mental representation of a text, readers routinely validate information they read against the preceding text and their background knowledge. It is clear that both sources affect processing, but when and how they exert their influence remains unclear. To examine the time course and cognitive architecture of text-based and knowledge-based validation processes, we used eye-tracking methodology. Participants read versions of texts that varied systematically in (in)coherence with prior text or background knowledge. Contradictions with respect to prior text and background knowledge both were found to disrupt reading but in different ways: The two types of contradiction led to distinct patterns of processes, and, importantly, these differences were evident already in early processing stages. Moreover, knowledge-based incoherence triggered more pervasive and longer (repair) processes than did text-based incoherence. Finally, processing of text-based and knowledge-based incoherence was not influenced by readers’ working memory capacity.

Authors 3

1. Marianne L. van Moort corresponding Aachen Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Arnout W. Koornneef Aachen Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Paul van den Broek Aachen Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Educational Science and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands