Review article

Individual differences in reading comprehension

Barbara Rončević

Abstract

Reading is a complex skill which requires coordination of various cognitive processes. An efficient reading skill is necessary for the successful acquisition of knowledge at all educational levels. Some of the factors that have the potential for being a source of individual differences in reading comprehension, like eye movements during reading, word recognition processes (word encoding and lexical access), and language comprehension processes that extend beyond individual words, are examined in this paper. The role of resources like working memory, vocabulary and knowledge, which are involved in the different componential processes of reading is also examined. The efficiency of the processes involved in word recognition plays a major role in reading comprehension during the first few years of learning to read. In skilled reading, the efficient use of other processes, such as the use of metacognitive strategies during reading, becomes a more important factor in differences in reading comprehension. Working memory span, vocabulary and domain knowledge are important determinants of individual differences in reading comprehension in both beginning and skilled readers.

Keywords

Reading; comprehension; individual differences

Hrčak ID:

11841

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/11841

Publication date:

1.12.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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