Professor Jukka Hyönä, Head of the Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Turku, is visiting us during July. As part of his activities, he will present us the study “Effects of Task Instructions and Topic Signaling on Text Processing Among Adult Readers with Different Reading styles: An Eye-Tracking Study”.

Effects of Task Instructions and Topic Signaling on Text Processing Among Adult Readers with Different Reading styles: An Eye-Tracking Study

Jukka Hyönä

Universitat de Turku, Finlàndia

ABSTRACT

Effects of task instructions and topic signaling on text processing among adult readers with different reading styles were studied by eye-tracking. In Experiment 1, readers read two multiple-topic expository texts guided either by a summary or a verification task. In Experiment 2, readers read a text with or without the topic sentences underlined. Four types of readers emerged: topic structure processors (TSPs), fast linear readers (FLRs), slow linear readers (SLRs), and nonselective reviewers (NSRs) TSPs paid ample fixation time on topic sentences regardless of their signaling. FLRs were characterized by fast first-pass reading, little rereading of previous text, and some signs of structure processing. The common feature of SLRs and NSRs was their slow first-pass reading. They differed from each other in that NSRs are characterized by spending ample time also during second-pass reading. They only showed some signs of topic structure processing when cued by task instructions or topic signaling.

BIO

Professor Jukka Hyönä is the Head of the Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Turku. His main research focus is on the use of the eye-tracking method to study various visually based cognitive tasks, including, reading and text comprehension, multiple object tracking, attentional capture and recognition of peripherally presented stimuli. The emphasis is on capturing how processing of visual stimuli evolves over time. To date, his most significant scientific contributions have been made to the study of how the eyes (and visual attention) are guided through a written text, tapping into different levels of written language comprehension – from word recognition via sentence parsing to comprehension of long expository texts. He has published more than 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Memory and Language, Psychological Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Psychology.

When: July 9th, Tuesday. 11:00h.

Where: Room M-204

Language: English

If you have an UV account, you can also attend the talk on-line by clicking here.