ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the implications for embracing this shift in focus in the context of theories and models of reading comprehension. It provides an overview of the main challenges the shift in focus poses for our existing theoretical frameworks, methods, and definitions. The complexity of reading comprehension demands a theory that describes the cognitive and linguistic processes involved, as well as their respective interactions across development. The Construction-Integration model posits that comprehension involves two phases – construction and integration. Strategic processes are intentional, voluntary, and generally fully conscious; they are also more amenable to self-regulation and tend to rely more on serial processing. In contrast, passive processes are effortless, unintentional, and generally outside conscious awareness; they are also difficult to stop or regulate and typically rely on a parallel type of processing. Comprehension of discourse requires the cooperative completion of many component processes.
