INFERENCES PRODUCTION IN TEXT COMPREHENSION BY ADULTS - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

Experimental studies about inference production in text comprehension are analysed in this critical review. First, inferences are classified with respect to their functions: local and global coherence and elabo ration of mental representations Then the question of why inferences a re made is examined... in others words, what are the conditions that t rigger inference production; these conditions are related to reader's goal and knowledge, text type, and the activation resulting from these different conditions. The minimalist and constructivist positions are presented and their differences are evaluated. Finally toe examine wh en elaborative inferences are produced. Conclusions stress relations b etween different types of inferences on the different Eet?els of menta l representations, the role of working memory and the need for more sp ecification of theoretical models.