Theodore White's theory of reading is based on the belief that citizens reading newsmagazines form opinions and exert pressure for action on government. (DD)

According to an analysis of the books most frequently purchased between 1965 and 1975, Americans read to ascribe some sense to their personal universe and affirm intimately who they are. (DD)

Discusses responses to surveys about reasons for reading and notes that, when asked for reasons why they read, most people say they read for knowledge or pleasure, but when answers are explored in depth people show considerable variation in their purposes for reading. (MKM)

Argues that a literate environment can be fostered by teachers requesting children to read the daily newspaper and encouraging them to badger their parents for subscriptions. (FL)

Concludes that high interest reading materials should be included in the reading curriculum since they may allow students to attain higher comprehension levels. (FL)

Presents information regarding frequently occurring reading tasks both at work and in leisure settings. Concludes that (1) competencies exist that can be measured independently, (2) these competencies are distinguishable in terms of goals and procedures of reader, and (3) activity as measured by time spent with material for a specific task is…

Reports the results of a longitudinal study that associated reading achievement with volume of reading and the selection of a book with its content, appearance, and its popularity with the reader's friends. (AEA)

Explores character identification as a means of increasing motivation for reading. (MKM)

The processes of change in children's reading motivation have not been widely studied. We investigated whether situated interest for a specific book may lead to longer-term intrinsic motivation for general reading. Two schools with 120 grade 3 students filled out reading logs identifying their reasons for reading their favorite books twice. In…

The effects of feedback on motivation were investigated with a 3 x 3 factorial design. Adult subjects (72 male college students) read prose sentences and completed cloze test items. Feedback on each item was either immediate, delayed, or omitted. A cloze retention test over the sentences was given either immediately, delayed, or was omitted. To…

Quantifies and analyzes the reading activities of members of four occupational groups within a community: professional/managerial, small business/clerical, skilled crafts workers, and unskilled workers. (AEA)

Aspects of reading motivation and the amount and breadth of reading done were studied with 105 fourth and fifth graders. Children's reading was found to be multidimensional, and their motivation predicted reading amount and breadth even when previous amount and breadth were controlled. Intrinsic motivation was a better predictor than extrinsic…

A study examined the association of reading instruction with the amount and breadth of students' reading activities, taking account of social, cognitive, and home factors in the educative process. A secondary analysis of a large national data base for students aged 9, 13, and 17 was conducted. Using answers from student questionnaires, conceptual…

One theoretical approach for increasing intrinsic motivation for reading consists of teachers using situational interest to encourage the development of long-term individual interest in reading. The authors investigated that possibility by using stimulating tasks, such as hands-on science observations and experiments, to increase situational…