Exploring the impact of reading visually complex scripts on attentional processes and visual discrimination and search skills

Magar, Awisha (2023). Exploring the impact of reading visually complex scripts on attentional processes and visual discrimination and search skills. University of Birmingham. M.Sc.

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Abstract

The majority of research into differences in visual skills overlooks orthography differences. Instead, they propose that cultural orientation (collectivism or individualism) drives those differences. Orthography in Eastern languages such as Chinese is characterised by intricate strokes which are visually complex. In contrast, orthography in Western languages such as English consists of simple alphabets that are visually simplistic. Our project investigates how reading visually complex orthographies affects visual perception skills. We hypothesised that readers of Chinese will perform better in visual perception tests across all tasks due to their experience with reading visually complex characters in everyday life. A sample of British, Nepalese-British, Chinese-British, Native-Chinese were investigated using a battery of tasks to examine language proficiency and visual skills. Some support for the hypothesis was found. British-Chinese performed fastest in the Visual Search Task, nationality was a significant predictor in the Local feature of the Navon task and reading and writing Chinese were significant predictors in the accuracy scores of the Visual Discrimination Task. Several reasons for the findings are proposed, methodological issues regarding the tasks and suggestions for further research are examined.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Sc.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Sc.

Supervisor(s):