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The emergence of automaticity in reading: effects of orthographic depth and word decoding ability on an adjusted Stroop measure
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:13 authored by Hakima Megherbi, Carsten Elbro, Jane OakhillJane Oakhill, Juan Segui, Boris NewAbstract Aims How long does it take for word reading to become automatic? Does the appearance and development of automaticity differ as a function of orthographic depth (e.g. French vs. English)? These questions were addressed in a longitudinal study of English and French beginning readers. The study focused on automaticity as obligatory processing as measured in the Stroop test. Method Measures of decoding ability and the Stroop effect were taken at three time points during the first grade (and 2nd grade in the UK) in 84 children. The study was the first to adjust the classic Stroop effect for inhibition (of distracting colors). Results The adjusted Stroop effect was zero in the absence of reading ability, and it was found to develop in tandem with decoding ability. After a further control for decoding, no effects of age or orthography were found on the adjusted Stroop measure. Conclusion The results are in line with theories of the development of whole word recognition that emphasize the importance of the acquisition of the basic orthographic code.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of Experimental Child PsychologyISSN
0022-0965Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
166Page range
652-663Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes