Inference drawing

Approaches to inference drawing

Minimalist approach (McKoon and Ratcliff, 1992): only two kind of inferences encoded during reading automatically; those needed for local coherence and those based on quickly and easily available information (logical and bridging)

Hybrid approach - search-after-meaning (Graesser et al., 1994): sometimes we read more minimalist, sometimes more constructionist, depends on readers goal -> inference drawing can be strategic and might depend on individual differences, research mostly supports minimalist and search-after-meaning theories

Constructionist approach (Bransford et al., 1971/72/73): numerous elaborative inferences are typically drawn during reading, approach is not well supported

Good enough representations: language processing is often relatively shallow and incomplete, use "fast and frugal" heuristics to arrive at a "good enough" interpretation

(Ferreira & Patson, 2007).

Processor happy with a reasonable interpretation.

In most cases sufficient for purpose at hand.

Driven by assumptions of what the text is about.

Can lead to misconceptions, errors in interpretation.