Reading requires the acquisition of linguistic information from spatially ordered visual symbols. Since high acuity vision is limited to a small area of text, generally encompassing only the directly fixated word, readers need to execute a series of eye movements to view successive segments of text. One set of the proposed studies determines general principles of oculomotor control during reading. A second set examines how constraints of the visuo-motor system shape the acquisition of linguistic information. In most of the proposed experiments the visibility of critical text segments is made contingent upon the location, duration, or spatial location of individual eye fixations (eye movements). Effects of viewing constraints and of linguistic text manipulations on oculomotor activity are measured and used to infer principles of movement programming and text acquisition. The results should contribute to a model of visual language perception that considers the unique constraints of the visuo-motor system. This may assist our understanding of reading disabilities in individuals with no auditory language impairment. Advancement of oculomotor models should also make methodological and theoretical contributions to all areas of cognitive study which rely on the use of oculomotor measures.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH050387-01A2
Application #
2249696
Study Section
Perception and Cognition Review Committee (PEC)
Project Start
1994-08-01
Project End
1997-07-31
Budget Start
1994-08-01
Budget End
1995-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of NY, Binghamton
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
090189965
City
Binghamton
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
13902
Inhoff, A W; Briihl, D; Schwartz, J (1996) Compound word effects differ in reading, on-line naming, and delayed naming tasks. Mem Cognit 24:466-76
Vitu, F; O'Regan, J K; Inhoff, A W et al. (1995) Mindless reading: eye-movement characteristics are similar in scanning letter strings and reading texts. Percept Psychophys 57:352-64