Models of the reading process

Reading is a complex skill involving the orchestration of a number of components. Researchers often talk about a 'model of reading' when talking about only one aspect of the reading process (e.g., models of word identification are often referred to as 'models of reading'). Here, we review prominent models that are designed to account for (1) word identification, (2) syntactic parsing, (3) discourse representations, and (4) how certain aspects of language processing (e.g., word identification), in conjunction with other constraints (e.g., limited visual acuity, saccadic error) guide readers' eyes. Unfortunately, it is the case that these various models addressing specific aspects of the reading process seldom make contact with models dealing with other aspects of reading. Thus, for example, the models of word identification seldom make contact with models of eye-movement control, and vice versa. Although this may be unfortunate in some ways, it is quite understandable in other ways because reading itself is a very complex process. We discuss prototypical models of aspects of the reading process in the order mentioned above. We do not review all possible models but rather focus on those we view as being representative and most highly recognized.