ERIC Number: EJ1444884
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1088-8438
EISSN: EISSN-1532-799X
The Role of Domain-General, Behavioral, and Reading-Specific Executive Function in Reading Comprehension: Does Context-Specific Executive Function Matter?
Peng Peng; Yuting Liu; Kelly Cartwright; Marc Goodrich; Natalie Koziol; Chi Ma; Caroline Whitmarsh
Scientific Studies of Reading, v28 n6 p713-736 2024
Purpose: The study explored the distinct contributions of domain-general, behavioral, and reading-specific executive function to reading comprehension, and whether reading fluency and vocabulary moderate or mediate the relations between executive function and reading comprehension. Method: Data were collected from 129 4th and 5th graders (35.66%, 28.68%, 6.98%, and 28.68% for White, Hispanic, African American, and others, respectively; 54% are girls) who completed 9 assessments of domain-general and context-specific working memory, inhibition, and switching. Additionally, children completed assessments of reading comprehension, reading fluency, and vocabulary. Results: After controlling for all variables, among executive function variables, only behavioral and reading-specific executive function independently contributed to reading comprehension. Reading fluency and vocabulary partially mediated the relations between behavioral and reading-specific executive function and reading comprehension. Reading-specific executive function appeared to be particularly important for students with weaker vocabulary. Conclusion: These findings align with the context-specific hypothesis of executive function. Context-specific executive function may be more important than domain-general executive function in reading comprehension. Reading-specific executive function may be a distinct construct representing the integration of domain-general executive function and reading knowledge. This integration can enhance the efficiency of domain-general executive function when reading knowledge is limited, playing a compensatory role in reading comprehension.
Descriptors: Grade 4, Grade 5, Reading Comprehension, Executive Function, Context Effect, Reading Fluency, Vocabulary
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF); Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR); Stroop Color Word Test
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2405797; R324A220268