Making Explanatory Inferences in the Comprehension of Expository Texts: The Role of Verbal Ability, Working Memory, and Selective Attention

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.11920
Metáfora del ser humano (Zoé Romero Rodríguez)

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Published: May 12, 2023
Issue: Vol. 41 No. 1 (2023): Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana
Section Artículos


Keywords: Explanatory inferences , verbal ability , working memory , selective attention , expository texts inferencias explicativas , aptitud verbal , memoria de trabajo , atención selectiva , textos expositivos inferências explicativas , aptidão verbal , memória de trabalho , atenção seletiva , textos expositivos

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Authors

  Juan Pablo Barreyro Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental (CIIPME), Argentina Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
  Joaquín Ordoñez Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental (CIIPME), Argentina Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
  Jesica Formoso Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental (CIIPME), Argentina Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
Alejandra Calero Instituto de Investigaciones, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
Abstract

This research aimed to study the role of selective attention, the retention and executive components of working memory, and verbal aptitude in producing explanatory inferences in the comprehension of expository texts. For this purpose, 171 undergraduates completed tests of working memory, selective attention, verbal aptitude, and explanatory inference questionnaires after reading expository texts. The results of the structural equation modeling indicated that the production of explanatory inferences is determined directly by verbal aptitude and the executive component of verbal working memory. The analysis also detected a mediation interaction effect between the abilities to produce explanatory inferences, selective attention span, and the ability to store verbal information in working memory. These components indirectly affected the ability to infer via the executive component of working memory. This suggest that the ability to make explanatory inferences in the comprehension of expository texts is strongly related to verbal aptitude and the capacity to process information in working memory, while the ability to manage selective attention and retain verbal information in short-term memory have an impact on the ability to generate inferences mediated by working memory.

How to Cite
Barreyro, J. P., Ordoñez, J., Formoso, J., & Calero, A. (2023). Making Explanatory Inferences in the Comprehension of Expository Texts: The Role of Verbal Ability, Working Memory, and Selective Attention. Avances En Psicología Latinoamericana, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.11920
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