Abstract
Integration of sensory processes and prior knowledge for optimal oculomotor behavior can be observed in eye movement control during reading. An indication that prior knowledge is used in saccade planning during reading can be observed in the systematic shift of saccadic within-word mean landing position as a function of launch-site, the launch-site effect (McConkie et al., 1988; Engbert & Krügel, 2010). When reading condition changes, prior knowledge provides stability under sensory noise, while flexibility for adaption is necessary to generate optimal saccadic behavior. Here we present results of reading experiment in which normally written words are read from right to left. While no changes were observed in temporal eye-movement measures, we observed notable changes in spatial aspects of eye-movement. When reading direction is the opposite of writing direction, the launch-site effect decreases substantially compared to the one observed in normal reading. The results are in line with the view that oculomotor process is adaptive to unusual reading condition.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2018