Associative implicit learning in adult dyslexic readers

Abstract

This thesis examined associative implicit learning in dyslexic young adults. Dyslexic adults' associative implicit learning has been examined from three perspectives: what, when, and how. More specifically, it has been investigated if dyslexics have deficit in learning more complex knowledge, such as longer chunks or abstract knowledge (i.e., 'what'); if learning occurs at different stages in dyslexics compared to non-dyslexics (i.e., when); how dyslexics learn, and especially the role of both implicit and explicit processes (i.e., 'how'). The empirical findings from 9 experiments in 5 studies are: i) implicit learning deficits in dyslexic people are more manifest in second-order learning than first-order learning, with both motor and perceptual stimuli; ii) when only zero and first-order information is required, dyslexic people developed abstract learning under implicit learning condition as well as, and as fast as nondyslexics; iii) dyslexic participants had different sequence learning profiles compared to matched controls: dyslexic participants' expression, but not learning per se was impaired under resource-demanding condition compared to controls. Moreover, implicit learning was found to correlate with word reading score, phonological awareness, and working memory. This thesis is the first comprehensive study to consider a wide range of associative implicit learning with different learning content on a dyslexic population. The findings contribute to the current framework of explanatory theories of dyslexia, suggesting a new route through which cerebellar dysfunction can lead to phonological impairment, and eventually lead to reading difficulties.This thesis examined associative implicit learning in dyslexic young adults. Dyslexic adults' associative implicit learning has been examined from three perspectives: what, when, and how. More specifically, it has been investigated if dyslexics have deficit in learning more complex knowledge, such as longer chunks or abstract knowledge (i.e., 'what'); if learning occurs at different stages in dyslexics compared to non-dyslexics (i.e., when); how dyslexics learn, and especially the role of both implicit and explicit processes (i.e., 'how'). The empirical findings from 9 experiments in 5 studies are: i) implicit learning deficits in dyslexic people are more manifest in second-order learning than first-order learning, with both motor and perceptual stimuli; ii) when only zero and first-order information is required, dyslexic people developed abstract learning under implicit learning condition as well as, and as fast as nondyslexics; iii) dyslexic participants had different sequence learning profiles compared to matched controls: dyslexic participants' expression, but not learning per se was impaired under resource-demanding condition compared to controls. Moreover, implicit learning was found to correlate with word reading score, phonological awareness, and working memory. This thesis is the first comprehensive study to consider a wide range of associative implicit learning with different learning content on a dyslexic population. The findings contribute to the current framework of explanatory theories of dyslexia, suggesting a new route through which cerebellar dysfunction can lead to phonological impairment, and eventually lead to reading difficulties