Date of Award
Fall 11-22-2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
David Albritton, PhD
Second Advisor
Jessica Choplin, PhD
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis research is to explore how the difficulty of text impacts the ability to process subsequent text. The basic idea is that difficult text might deplete cognitive or attentional resources, creating difficulties for readers as they try to continue reading afterwards. A pilot study was conducted to gather preliminary data prior to the two final studies. High (easy to read) and low (difficult to read) readability passages were created and presented prior to a target passage. The results from the pilot study suggested that there may be differences in comprehension based on the readability and difficulty level of preceding text. Study one investigated how the length of the preceding passage impacted comprehension of subsequent text. A 2 readability (easy vs hard) x 2 length (short vs long) ANOVA failed to find any significant main effects or a significant interaction. Study two investigated whether differences in working memory capacity might make some people more susceptible to the effects of difficulty on comprehension on subsequent text. An ANCOVA failed to find a significant effect of readability on comprehension of the subsequent text after controlling for verbal working memory scores. Working memory scores were also not a significant predictor of comprehension scores.
Recommended Citation
Dumont, Benjamin Jerry, "How the Readability Level of Prior Text Impacts Comprehension of Subsequent Text" (2022). College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations. 438.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/csh_etd/438
SLP Collection
no