Influences of Visual Attention and Reading Time on Children and Adults

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the relationship between visual attention and reading time using a mobile electroencephalography device. The mobile electroencephalography device uses a single channel dry sensor, which easily measures participants’ attention in the real-world reading environment. The results reveal that age significantly influences visual attention and reading time. Adults’ visual attention and reading time are superior to those of children; furthermore, the visual attention and reading time of adults are positively correlated, indicating that the executive function of attention and reading time increases with age. Regarding gender differences, boys’ visual attention is superior to that of girls, whereas female adults exhibit higher visual attention than male adults. Moreover, multimedia picture books substantially enhance boys’ visual attention, whereas girls exhibit low visual attention. This result indicates that multimedia picture books with sound, light, and animation effects are more appealing to boys and thus enhance boys’ attention.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the 153 participants in Taiwan for their participation and assistance in the experimental study. We also thank the editor and anonymous referees for their valuable comments and advice.