There is also a recent article in the Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research (Summer 2006, Volume 11, Issue #2). Here's the Abstract: ================================== Can You Raed This Srcmabeld Msesgae? Testing a Mass E-mail Assertion
by Jennifer Stover, Tiffany Dismuke, Christie Nelson, and Jon E. Grahe - Monmouth College This research examined the effects of reading a passage when the letters in words were scrambled. It was conducted as a class project in response to an anonymous mass e-mail that claimed there was no effect on reading as long as the first and last letters of a word were properly placed (i.e., palced). The hypotheses of this experiment were that the scrambling of letters in words would: (a) increase latency, (b) increase frustration, (c) decrease comfort, and (d) reduce comprehension (perceived and actual). Participants read 1 of 4 paragraphs that varied in length and whether they were scrambled, then completed a short survey. The findings suggested that scrambling a word influenced reading latency, frustration, and comfort with the message, but not comprehension. Theoretical implications of these findings were discussed. ================================== Paul Smith Alverno College Milwaukee --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
