Use of cognitive capacity in reading
Effects of some content features of text∗
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11274014 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bruce K Britton (University of Georgia, corresponding author), Arthur C Graesser (0000-0003-0345-6866, California State University, Fullerton), Shawn M Glynn, Tom Hamilton (0000-0002-5143-957X), Margaret Penland, M J Penland |
| Year | 1983 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 39-57 |
| Publication date | 1983-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Discourse Processes (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0163-853X • E-ISSN: 1532-6950 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/01638538309544553 |
| OpenAlex | W1994501314 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 11 |
| References cited | 29 |
Use of cognitive capacity was measured during reading of text in six experiments. Content features of the texts were varied. A secondary task technique was used to measure use of capacity. In all experiments, capacity was filled more completely while reading narrative text than while reading expository text. The finding was generalized over two pools of passages, over two modalities of secondary task probes— auditory and tactile—and over two secondary tasks—simple reaction time and choice reaction time. Three hypotheses for the narrativity effect were investigated. Not supported were an hypothesis based on the interest value of the passages and the hypothesis that difficult to comprehend passages induced problem solving cognitive operations that filled capacity. The results were consistent with a comprehensibility hypothesis, which states that when more meaning is produced in the reader's cognitive system while reading a text, more cognitive capacity is filled by reading it. Narrative passages produce more meaning because schemata for narrative texts are more familiar, more frequently encountered, and easier to comprehend than schemata for expository texts
Cognition · Cognitive Load · Cognitive psychology · Comprehension · Linguistics · Meaning (existential · Narrative · Narrativity · Reading (process · Reading comprehension · Task (project management · Advanced Text Analysis Techniques · Computer Science · Educational Strategies and Epistemologies · Philosophy · Psychology · Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
Mental Processes in Reading
Text Typologies
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Feeling and thinking
| Unique citing works | 11 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,26 |
| Citation span | 1983 - 2025 (43) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 10 |