Reading Comprehension

Abstract

Four major assumptions drive current psychological research on the reading comprehension process: (a) Skilled reading depends on the complex interaction of cognitive, linguistic, and perceptual processes: (b) reading is an interactive process; (c) our ability to process textual information is constrained by the limits of our information processing ability; and (d) reading is strategic. Emerging evidence points to prior knowledge and cognitive and metacognitive processes as critical for the development of skilled reading comprehension. Evidence suggests that instruction on the processes underlying comprehension can improve a reader's comprehension skills.