title: Mislocated fixations during reading and the inverted optimal viewing position effect.
abstract: Refixation probability during reading is lowest near the word center, suggestive of an optimal viewing position (OVP). Counterintuitively, fixation durations are largest at the OVP, a result called the inverted optimal viewing position (IOVP) effect [Vitu, McConkie, Kerr, & O'Regan, (2001). Vision Research 41, 3513-3533]. Current models of eye-movement control in reading fail to reproduce the IOVP effect. We propose a simple mechanism for generating this effect based on error-correction of mislocated fixations due to saccadic errors. First, we propose an algorithm for estimating proportions of mislocated fixations from experimental data yielding a higher probability for mislocated fixations near word boundaries. Second, we assume that mislocated fixations trigger an immediate start of a new saccade program causing a decrease of associated durations. Thus, the IOVP effect could emerge as a result of a coupling between cognitive and oculomotor processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, P.O. Box 601553, 14415 Potsdam, Germany. nuthmann@rz.uni-potsdam.de
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nuthmann
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Engbert
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kliegl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011932:Reading; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors