On the launch-site effect for skipped words during reading.
The launch-site effect, a systematic variation of within-word landing position as a function of launch-site distance, is among the most important oculomotor phenomena in reading. Here we show that the launch-site effect is strongly modulated in word skipping, a finding which is inconsistent with the view that the launch-site effect is caused by a saccadic-range error. We observe that distributions of landing positions in skipping saccades show an increased leftward shift compared to non-skipping saccades at equal launch-site distances. Using an improved algorithm for the estimation of mislocated fixations, we demonstrate the reliability of our results.
Krügel
André
A
Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. kruegel@uni-potsdam.de
Engbert
Ralf
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011932:Reading; D012438:Saccades; D055815:Young Adult