A behavioral experimental analysis of dyslexia

Abstract

A behavioral analysis of specific dyslexia is contrasted with traditional genetic, neurological and developmental theories which hold that the dyslexic's inability to read is based on impaired intellectual functioning and decreased perceptual and attentional skills caused by a biological limitation. Two groups of six children, aged 9 and 10 years and comprised of dyslexic and non-dyslexic subjects, were given either traditional remedial reading treatment or behavior therapy consisting of the Staats Motivated Action Reading Technique. Both dyslexic and non-dyslexic subjects receiving the behavioral intervention significantly improved in reading achievement to approximately the same degree, and the dyslexic subjects improved in several perceptual and attentional measures as well. These results are taken to support the position that the specific dyslexia syndrome is subject to the laws of learning and can be viewed as a function of a deficient learning history.