Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF BOTOLAN

(Formerly Botolan Community College)
Botolan Zambales
E-mail: polytechniccollegeofbotolan@gmail.com
Website: pcbzambales.com
Contact Number 0949-155-3113
Module 2/ September 14-19, 2020

READING AS A PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Acquaintance with reading in terms of its physiology or internal process in the human organism.
2. Retention of scientific terms related to the physiology of reading.
3. Appreciation of the wondrous process of reading

I. ELICIT

Have you ever wondered about the process on how reading is done by man? How come reading triggers
different reaction on the human organism? How can we avoid straining ourselves when reading? Such
questions can be answered by understanding the physiology in the human activity for reading.

II. ANALYZE

FACTS ABOUT READING

1. Reading involves both an organic or physiological process and a mental or cognitive processes. But
it is difficult to put a demarcation line between these two processes as they overlap since the mind
controls all human activities. Thus, some reading experts simply refer to this process as being neuro-
physiological in nature.
2. In the physiological process, the most basic step is for the eyes to see, identify, and recognize the
printed word or images (illustrations, diagram, picture).
3. The light pattern from the printed symbols hit the foveal areas or closely packed sensory cells of the
retina.
4. In turn, this induces chemical changes that create patterns of nerve currents into the optic nerve fiber.
5. Then these current travel to a center in the mid-brain.
6. The stage of reading revolves around the ability to identify and recognize words which are the
smallest unit of visual identification and meaningful recognition. But the act of reading does not take
place if the letters are perceived in isolation.
7. Finally, using the current that travels to the mid-brain, the cerebral cortex interprets the symbols (with
the help of traces of the memory’s store of past experiences, also by association that enable the
reader to perceive the meaning of the word.)
8. Studies show eye movement in reading with the eye perceiving and pausing on the printed material
horizontally from left to right and top –to-bottom (for the westerner) or right to left and bottom-top (for
Asian such as Chinese)
9. Scientific experiments have also shown that there are several eye movements

MODULE 2 – Reading as a Physiological Process / September 14-19, 2020

 (a) Fixation or the eye stopping or getting heated on the word or words. The duration of fixation is the
length of time the eyes has to pause. Most readers take four eye pauses per second, while poor
readers need more time to pause in order to see with accuracy.
(b) Inter – fixation or the eyes moving from stopping point to the other (horizontally from left to right ,
up- coming down under.)
(c) Return sweeps with the eyes swinging back from the end line to the beginning of the next line.
(d) Short quick hop and jump movements called saccades, done especially by literate people, to
move ahead on line of print.
(e) Regressions or backward right –to- left movement in case there is need to double check what is
being read.
(f) Span of recognition of the eye’s recognition of a group of words. It is believed that readers can
add to their reading ability by widening the span of recognition by means of chunking of phrases,
a focus on the total word pattern. As the span widens, fixation decreases resulting in increased
speed in reading.
To reflect, one reads ideas not words. The habit of reading decreases the work deciphering,
resulting in an ease or perceiving meaning relationship and messages of the printed material.
III. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITIES

To go back to the questions posed at the beginning of this lesson, formulate and share your answer
to these questions;
1. Is reading a wonderful human activity?
You may find help for your answer from the quotation:
“A bit of light comes into the eye, an electric impulse flits through the brain, and we “see.” Science
doesn’t really know what light is or what the mind is, but much is now known about the miracle of
seeing.”
-Wolfgang Langewiesche-

Your answer:

2. Is physical seeing much like a photographic / camera picture taking?

Your answer

3. What causes eye strain?

Hint: No continued reading for long hours (not more than two hours is recommended), also
adequate and proper lighting (left-to-right of the eyes for the source of light), reading in a quite
/cool environment, no reading in a moving vehicle, etc.
Your answer from personal experience:

IV. TEST

Prepare a chart illustrating the physiological process in reading.

V. HABITUATE

Prepare a drawing of an ideal home study room.

MODULE 2 – Reading as a Physiological Process / September 14-19, 2020