Recognition of English and Hebrew letters as a function of age and display predictability.

Abstract

Presented 6 english or hebrew consonants on each of 40 trials to right and left of fixation of 98 1st-7th graders, learning both english and hebrew in a hebrew day school. For 1/2 the ss the language of the display was predictable, and for the other 1/2 displays were randomly intermixed. There was a developmental increase in total letters correct for both languages, and a decrease in the tendency to favor 1 side of the display. No evidence was found for a developmental change in the side favored for either language. English was recognized better on the left, hebrew about equally on both sides, but with considerable individual differences. The generally greater preference for the left in the random than in the predictable group suggests that directional processes initiated during a trial contribute significantly to the asymmetry of report accuracy. Individual differences in susceptibility to the biasing effect of language were prominent.