Routledge Visual Processes in Reading and Reading Disabilities

Over the last 25 years, reading processes have been the focus of an enormous amount of research in experimental psychology as well as in other disciplines. The theories and models emerging from this research have greatly advanced understanding of both normal acquisition and of reading disabilities. Although great progress has been made, there are certain aspects that have been relatively neglected in the current understanding. Specifically, the role of visual factors has received less attention than that of other component processes. This is particularly surprising since reading and writing are distinct from the other language processes of speaking and listening in large part by virtue of the fact that a visual dimension is involved. Relevant research is broadly scattered both geographically and in terms of disciplines, and there have been no major reviews or books concerned with the visual dimension of reading and reading disabilities. The purpose of this book is to bring together a broad range of evidence that concerns the role of visual information in reading and reading disabilities. Because reading processes are of central interest to cognitive scientists, neuropsychologists, psycholinguists, clinicians, and educators, this book should draw a very broad readership. Review "...the reader will be rewarded by the breadth of topics covered by the book....it is a 'must-read' not only for specialists but also for practitioners in all teaching fields....information presented in Visual Processes in Reading and Reading Disabilities will enhance collaborative learning efforts of instructors and students as well as providing insight into those issues that should be explored in future research....This book makes a significant contribution to the literature by reporting the extensive research of psychologists, educators and optometrists during the past twenty-five years."—Freshman English News "This is a specialist text and will be of most value to psychologists and others concerned with how the eye and the brain combine in reading. However, for any reader who would like to reflect on how they have visually processed the light and dark patterns on the pages of this journal, there is much in the work to intrigue and interest them."—British Journal of Psychiatry