Some Components of Sensation and Perception for the Reading Process

bent, Triesman, Hochberg, Berlyne, Neisser-are reviewed in an attempt to isolate common features that are sensory and perceptual components of the normal reading process. Based on a review of the literature it is argued that a major sensory-perceptual mechanism which may relate to the reading process is the operation of the peripheral retina. In the course of normal eye movements the peripheral retina provides fragmentary but crucial information as to the direction of subsequent ocular fixations. It follows that the input of the peripheral retina, coupled with knowledge of language structure, may enable the normal reader to productively use the peripheral fragments in an anticipatory but effective fashion. Finally, supportive sensory and perceptual literature that bear on this issue are critically reviewed.