Inferences about predictable events: eye movements during reading

Eye fixations were recorded to assess whether, how, and when readers draw i nferences about predictable events. Predicting context sentences, or non-pr edicting control sentences, were presented, followed by continuation senten ces in which a target word referred to a predictable event (inferential wor d) or an unlikely event (non-predictable word). There were no effects on in itial target word processing measures, such as launch and landing sites, fi xation probability, first-fixation duration, or first-pass reading time. Ho wever, relative to the control condition, the predicting context (1) speede d up reanalysis of the inferential word as revealed by a reduction in secon d-pass reading time and regressions, and (2) interfered with processing of the non-predictable word, as shown by an increase in regressions. These res ults indicate that predictive inferences are active at late text integratio n processes, rather than at early lexical-access processes. The pattern of findings suggests that these inferences involve initial activation of rathe r general concepts following the inducing context, and that they are comple ted or refined with delay, after the inferential target word is read.