Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: Exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text

Authors: Slattery, T.J. and Rayner, K.

Journal: Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics

Volume: 75

Issue: 6

Pages: 1275-1292

eISSN: 1943-393X

ISSN: 1943-3921

DOI: 10.3758/s13414-013-0463-8

Abstract:

Two eye movement experiments investigated intraword spacing (the space between letters within words) and interword spacing (the space between words) to explore the influence these variables have on eye movement control during reading. Both variables are important factors in determining the optimal use of space in a line of text, and fonts differ widely in how they employ these spaces. Prior research suggests that the proximity of flanking letters influences the identification of a central letter via lateral inhibition or crowding. If so, decrements in intraword spacing may produce inhibition in word processing. Still other research suggests that increases in intraword spacing can disrupt the integrity of word units. In English, interword spacing has a large influence on word segmentation and is important for saccade target selection. The results indicate an interplay between intra- and interword spacing that influences a font's readability. Additionally, these studies highlight the importance of word segmentation processes and have implications for the nature of lexical processing (serial vs. parallel). © 2013 Psychonomic Society, Inc.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: Scopus

Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text.

Authors: Slattery, T.J. and Rayner, K.

Journal: Atten Percept Psychophys

Volume: 75

Issue: 6

Pages: 1275-1292

eISSN: 1943-393X

DOI: 10.3758/s13414-013-0463-8

Abstract:

Two eye movement experiments investigated intraword spacing (the space between letters within words) and interword spacing (the space between words) to explore the influence these variables have on eye movement control during reading. Both variables are important factors in determining the optimal use of space in a line of text, and fonts differ widely in how they employ these spaces. Prior research suggests that the proximity of flanking letters influences the identification of a central letter via lateral inhibition or crowding. If so, decrements in intraword spacing may produce inhibition in word processing. Still other research suggests that increases in intraword spacing can disrupt the integrity of word units. In English, interword spacing has a large influence on word segmentation and is important for saccade target selection. The results indicate an interplay between intra- and interword spacing that influences a font's readability. Additionally, these studies highlight the importance of word segmentation processes and have implications for the nature of lexical processing (serial vs. parallel).

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: PubMed

Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: Exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text

Authors: Slattery, T.J. and Rayner, K.

Journal: ATTENTION PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS

Volume: 75

Issue: 6

Pages: 1275-1292

eISSN: 1943-393X

ISSN: 1943-3921

DOI: 10.3758/s13414-013-0463-8

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: Exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text

Authors: Slattery, T.J. and Rayner, K.

Journal: Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics

Volume: 75

Pages: 1275-1292

Publisher: Springer US

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: Manual

Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text.

Authors: Slattery, T.J. and Rayner, K.

Journal: Attention, perception & psychophysics

Volume: 75

Issue: 6

Pages: 1275-1292

eISSN: 1943-393X

ISSN: 1943-3921

DOI: 10.3758/s13414-013-0463-8

Abstract:

Two eye movement experiments investigated intraword spacing (the space between letters within words) and interword spacing (the space between words) to explore the influence these variables have on eye movement control during reading. Both variables are important factors in determining the optimal use of space in a line of text, and fonts differ widely in how they employ these spaces. Prior research suggests that the proximity of flanking letters influences the identification of a central letter via lateral inhibition or crowding. If so, decrements in intraword spacing may produce inhibition in word processing. Still other research suggests that increases in intraword spacing can disrupt the integrity of word units. In English, interword spacing has a large influence on word segmentation and is important for saccade target selection. The results indicate an interplay between intra- and interword spacing that influences a font's readability. Additionally, these studies highlight the importance of word segmentation processes and have implications for the nature of lexical processing (serial vs. parallel).

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Effects of intraword and interword spacing on eye movements during reading: Exploring the optimal use of space in a line of text

Authors: Slattery, T. and Rayner, K.

Journal: Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics

Volume: 75

Pages: 1275-1292

ISSN: 1943-3921

Abstract:

Two eye movement experiments investigated intra-word spacing (the space between letters within words) and inter-word spacing (the space between words) to explore the influence these variables have on eye movement control during reading. Both variables are important factors in determining the optimal use of space in a line of text, and fonts differ widely in how they employ these spaces. Prior research suggests that the proximity of flanking letters influences the identification of a central letter via lateral inhibition or crowding. If so decrements in intra-word spacing may produce inhibition in word processing. Still other research suggests that increases in intra-word spacing can disrupt the integrity of word units. In English, inter-word spacing has a large influence on word segmentation and is important for saccade target selection. The results indicate interplay between intra and inter word spacing which influence a font’s readability. Additionally, these studies highlight the importance of word segmentation processes and have implications for the nature of lexical processing (serial vs. parallel).

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22640/

Source: BURO EPrints