A THEORY OF INFERENCE GENERATION DURING TEXT COMPREHENSION

An adequate theory of inference generation should accurately predict w hether particular classes of knowledge-based inferences are generated ''on-line'' during text comprehension. This article proposes a theory which can account for available empirical findings in cognitive psycho logy and discourse processing, including those reported in this issue of Discourse Processes. The proposed ''constructionist'' theory incorp orates: (a) the goals of the reader, (b) explanations of why actions a nd events in the text occur, (c) coherence at local and global levels, and (d) the activation of inferences from multiple information source s.