Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-25-2024

Disciplines

Biology | Education | Physiology | Psychology

Advisor

Jennifer Schaefer

Abstract

There are many different variables that can impact reading comprehension, such as reading level, emotional state, and the content of the text itself. For example, if a text contains inconsistencies (e.g., when a key moment in the text does not align with the information presented earlier in the story), processing slows as readers attempt to resolve the inconsistency. However, little is known about the connection between processing inconsistent versus consistent passages and physiological responses in the body. The goal of this study is to examine whether reading narrative texts containing inconsistent and/or consistent information elicits sympathetic nervous system activation, as measured via heart rate variability (HRV) and galvanic skin response (GSR). The results showed no difference in sympathetic nervous system activation when reading inconsistent or consistent passages, indicating no evidence of emotional arousal based on physiological measures. This suggests that texts are appropriate for examining non-emotional cognitive processes. Future research can examine whether texts of higher emotional relevance to participants (such as those that relate to personal beliefs or high-stakes topics) demonstrate different patterns.

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