Studying the Relation of Reading Time Allocation Strategies and Working Memory Using a RSVP Text Presentation

Abstract

Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) is a useful method for controlling the timing of text presentations and studying how readers’ characteristics, such as working memory (WM) and reading strategies for time allocation, influence text recall. In the current study a modified version of RSVP (Moving Window RSVP, MW-RSVP) was used to induce longer pauses at the ends of clauses and ends of sentences when reading texts with multiple embedded clauses. In two experiments we studied if WM relates to allocation of time at end of clauses or sentences (EOC/S) in a self-paced reading task and in two MW-RSVP reading conditions (Constant MW-RSVP and Paused MW-RSVP) in which pauses were induced or the reading rate was kept constant. In experiment 1, we found an additive effect of WM and reading condition (MW-RSVP vs. self-paced) on text recall, but no effect of WM on the length of EOC/S pauses. In experiment 2, WM and the length of EOC/S pauses were related in that high-WM span readers were more affected by the restriction of time allocation in the MW-RSVP conditions, and that the recall of both WM groups benefited from a Paused MW-RSVP presentation.