The IOVP effect in mindless reading: Experiment and modeling

Antje Nuthmann, Ralf Engbert, Reinhold Kliegl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Fixation durations in reading are longer for within-word fixation positions close to word center than for positions near word boundaries. This counterintuitive result was termed the Inverted-Optimal Viewing Position (IOVP) effect. We proposed an explanation of the effect based on error-correction of mislocated fixations [Nuthmann, A., Engbert, R., & Kliegl, R. (2005). Mislocated fixations during reading and the inverted optimal viewing position effect. Vision Research, 45, 2201-2217], that suggests that the IOVP effect is not related to word processing. Here we demonstrate the existence of an IOVP effect in "mindless reading", a G-string scanning task. We compare the results from experimental data with results obtained from computer simulations of a simple model of the IOVP effect and discuss alternative accounts. We conclude that oculornotor errors, which often induce mislocalized fixations, represent the most important source of the IOVP effect. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)990-1002
Number of pages13
JournalVision Research
Volume47
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • reading
  • saccades
  • optimal viewing position
  • oculomotor errors
  • mislocated fixations
  • EYE-MOVEMENT CONTROL
  • E-Z-READER
  • SACCADE GENERATION
  • FIXATION DURATIONS
  • DYNAMICAL MODEL
  • WORDS
  • POSITION
  • LATENCY
  • MICROSACCADES
  • FREQUENCY

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