Cardiff University, UK.
The McPin Foundation, London, UK.
Br J Psychol. 2020 Aug;111(3):443-459. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12415. Epub 2019 Jul 12.
While electronic reading devices are extremely popular, research is equivocal regarding their benefits for outcomes such as reader comprehension. Integrating literatures on reading medium comparisons and matching effects in persuasion, this research tested whether comprehension is maximized when the content of the material (e.g., whether it is traditional vs. modern) matches the medium (e.g., reading from a traditional book vs. digital e-reader). In Study 1, participants read a traditional- or modern-themed short story from either a book or an e-reader. Story comprehension was greater when participants read from the printed medium compared to the e-reader, an effect that was marginally moderated by story content, consistent with a matching effect. In Study 2, participants read a persuasive message that emphasized either a traditional versus modern solution to improving health in either a magazine format or on an iPad. Message comprehension was marginally greater among participants who read their message in a printed format. Participants' interest in weight loss showed evidence of a matching effect - participants were more interested in losing weight when a modern solution to obesity article was presented on an iPad compared to a printed format. The results are applied to the study of reading and attitude change.
虽然电子阅读设备非常受欢迎，但关于它们对读者理解等结果的益处的研究尚无定论。本研究综合了关于阅读媒介比较和说服中的匹配效应的文献，测试了当材料的内容（例如，是传统的还是现代的）与媒介（例如，从传统书籍还是数字电子阅读器阅读）相匹配时，理解是否最大化。在研究 1 中，参与者从书本或电子阅读器上阅读了一个传统主题或现代主题的短篇小说。与从电子阅读器阅读相比，参与者从印刷媒介阅读时，对故事的理解更好，这种效果受到故事内容的适度调节，与匹配效应一致。在研究 2 中，参与者阅读了一条强调通过传统方法还是现代方法改善健康的有说服力的信息，这些信息以杂志格式或在 iPad 上呈现。与在印刷格式中阅读相比，参与者在阅读杂志格式的信息时，对信息的理解略有提高。参与者对减肥的兴趣显示出匹配效应的证据——当关于肥胖症的现代解决方案的文章在 iPad 上呈现时，与在印刷格式相比，参与者对减肥更感兴趣。研究结果适用于阅读和态度改变的研究。
