Individual Differences In The Topical Inference Processing And The Time Course

In 2 experiments, the effects of reading ability and working memory span on the topical inference processing were tested, and the time course of the inferential processing was tested in 0ms, 300ms and 800ms delay conditions. These experiments use 2x2x3 mixed design, response time was the main index, and shorter text materials were used in both experiment 1 and experiment 2 which used lexical decision task. The result indicated: reading ability and working memory influence the processing course of topical inference. Good reading ability and high working memory span may accelerate processing course, while bad reading ability and low span constrains processing course. In these results, the reading ability and working memory span were both the main factors of the individual differences in the topical inference processing. In Oms, 300ms and 800ms delay conditions, skilled reader and high-span reader can draw topical inference faster, 300ms is an important time for processing, while less skilled reader and low-span reader need more time.