2024

Hautala, Jarkko; Saarela, Mirka; Loberg, Otto; Kärkkäinen, Tommi

Cognition and learning are exceedingly modeled as an associative activity of connectionist neural networks. However, only a few such models exist for continuous reading, which involves the delicate coordination of word recognition and eye movements. Moreover, these models are limited to only orthographic level of word processing with predetermined lexicons. Here, we present a conceptual design of a developmentally plausible neural network model of reading designed to simulate word learning, parafoveal preview activation of words, their later foveal word recognition including phonological decoding, and forward saccade length as a control mechanism for intake of new textual information. We will discuss the theoretical advancements of the design and avenues for future developments.