Reading behavior as an indicator of comprehension monitoring when reading expository texts

Comprehension of expository texts is an important prerequisite for self-regulated learning. Processes of passive validation and metacognitive monitoring are thought to be involved in building a coherent situation model of a text. Inconsistency tasks are often used to measure these processes. Several studies have shown longer reading times for inconsistent sentences than for consistent sentences. However, it remains unclear whether the additional time arises from passive disruptions of the reading process when encountering an inconsistency or from metacognitive processes of reanalysis of previous text. To address this issue, we recorded the reading behavior of 96 university students with an eye-tracker while they read inconsistent and consistent expository texts. We analyzed first-pass reading (first-pass reading time, lookbacks) and reanalysis (rereading time, revisits) at the level of the (in)consistent target word, at the sentence-final word of the target sentence, and in the pre-target text. Our results did not strongly support the hypothesis that immediate changes in reading behavior when inconsistencies are first encountered influence the detection and processing of inconsistencies. Our results partially supported the hypothesis that processes of text reanalysis, specifically of the source of inconsistency, increase the probability of identifying an inconsistency. The findings indicate that a purposeful reanalysis of passages that appear inconsistent to readers improves situation model construction for (short) expository texts about conceptually difficult topics. Learning from texts thus requires metacognitive comprehension monitoring beyond passive validation processes.