Effects of Discourse Context on Inference Computation During Comprehension

Abstract

This study investigated how discourse context influences the on-line inference process of a high-probability instrument. The experiments showed that such instrument inferences are not computed unless the context provides information that strongly supports the inferences. When the context is compatible with such inferences but weak, the inference is not routinely drawn. However, the reader does generate the inference if motivated to elaborate. A simulation model successfully generated the results that were in agreement with the experiments. The simulations showed that on-line inference processes are affected by the trade-off between construction of a rich representation and the limited capacity of the cognitive system.