The Psychology of Reading: An Introduction

Cognitive psychologists have discovered that reading represents a natural laboratory for studying almost all cognitive processes -- from sensation and perception to comprehension and reasoning. This introductory textbook examines the important principles of cognitive psychology that pertain to reading, but it is not written for the cognitive psychologist. Though grounded in the latest research, this revision maintains the objective of the first edition -- to provide a highly accessible introduction to students approaching the subject for the first time. Nearly a decade has passed since publication of the first edition of this book. During this period, research on reading has continued at the breakneck pace established in the 1970s, and the growth of knowledge has been substantial. Because the development of knowledge about reading has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, this new edition provides a timely update of the previous edition, building on principles developed in the earlier book. It is intended to be of use to readers from a variety of disciplines, with differing levels of knowledge about reading. Students of educational psychology and in psychology of reading courses will find this text particularly helpful.