Comprehension: A Paradigm for Cognition - Softcover

Kintsch, Walter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521629861 ISBN 13: 9780521629867

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

In this book, Walter Kintsch presents a theory of human text comprehension and extends his analysis to related areas. Comprehension is conceptualized as a two-stage process: first, approximate, inaccurate representations are constructed via context insensitive construction rules, which are then integrated via a spreading activation constraint satisfaction process. In Part I, the general theory is presented and an attempt is made to situate it within the current theoretical landscape in cognitive science. The second part addresses many of the topics that are typically found in a cognitive psychology text, including how word meanings are identified in a discourse context; how words are combined to form coherent representations of texts, both at the local and global level; what the role is of working memory in comprehension; how relevant knowledge is activated during reading; and what is the distinction between remembering a text and learning from a text. Researchers in the fields of psychology and linguistics will find this to be a most welcome contribution from one of the discipline's most celebrated scholars.

About this title

Book Description

The usual topics that cognitive psychology and cognitive science deal with- attention, memory, problem-solving- all play a role in comprehension. These areas inform the theory of comprehension, and, at the same time , the theory of comprehension has broad implications for all cognition. Walter Kintsch presents a theory of comprehension that aims to explain how readers understand a text. He then uses his theory of text comprehension as a general model for looking at other cognitive processes.

Review

"The text is well written and should be on the "must read" list for cognitive psychologists who are interested in text and discourse processing." Journal of Mathematical Psychology

"The text is well written and should be on the "must read" list for cognitive psychologists who are interested in text and discourse processing." Journal of Mathematical Psychology

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521629861
• ISBN 13: 9780521629867
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480