Effects of headings on text processing

Reports 2 experiments concerned with the effects of headings, both embedded and intact (outline), on the processing of complex text material. Results of Exp I with 132 undergraduates indicate that embedded headings reliably improved delayed test performance. In Exp II with 106 Ss, it was further fou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of educational psychology 1983-04, Vol.75 (2), p.292-302
Main Authors: Brooks, Larry W, Dansereau, Donald F, Spurlin, Joni E, Holley, Charles D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Human
Prose
Reading Comprehension
Text Structure
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Summary:Reports 2 experiments concerned with the effects of headings, both embedded and intact (outline), on the processing of complex text material. Results of Exp I with 132 undergraduates indicate that embedded headings reliably improved delayed test performance. In Exp II with 106 Ss, it was further found that instructions in the use of headings as processing aids facilitated test performance. A discrepancy, however, was observed between the 2 experiments in that the presentation of headings without instructions failed to increase test scores significantly on the dependent measures of Exp II. Sensitization to the headings is proposed as one possible explanation for the results. (34 ref)
ISSN:0022-0663
1939-2176
DOI:10.1037/0022-0663.75.2.292