What is readily available during reading? A memory‐based view of text processing

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that readers routinely maintain both local and global coherence. Four experiments are presented that test 2 views of how relevant global information becomes readily available to the reader. According to 1 view, readers make use of discourse pointers. These pointers restrict reactivation of backgrounded information to information that is scenario relevant. In contrast, according to the memory‐based text processing view, backgrounded information becomes available through a passive, fast‐acting resonance process. Information becomes available as a function of its degree of featural overlap with the current contents of working memory; relevance of that information is not a factor. The results of all 4 experiments demonstrated that backgrounded information became readily available to the reader if it shared features in common with the current contents of working memory. This occurred independent of whether the information was relevant or thematically related; comprehension was only affected if the reactivated information was scenario relevant.