HOW DO THE EFFICIENCIES OF READING SUBCOMPONENTS RELATE TO LOOKING BACK IN TEXT

The compensatory-encoding model of reading suggests that experienced r eaders compensate metacognitively for inefficient reading subcomponent s or cognitive resource limitations. For instance, readers with less e fficient access to information in working memory are predicted to look back in text more than those with more efficient access to informatio n in working memory. Both groups of readers still have good comprehens ion. One hundred nine adult readers were measured on the efficiencies of selected reading subcomponents. Texts were read from a computer scr een 1 sentence at a time. The extent to which readers looked back in t ext (reread sentences) was noted. Those with more efficient access to information in verbal working memory looked back less, consistent with the model. Theoretical and educational implications are discussed.