Dual Route Model

Definition

The dual route model is a theoretical framework that explains how individuals process written words through two distinct pathways: the lexical route and the non-lexical route. This model highlights that readers can either access a word's meaning directly from their mental lexicon or decode the word phonetically, which plays a crucial role in understanding how reading occurs neurologically. The existence of these two routes helps to explain variations in reading abilities and strategies among individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The dual route model suggests that skilled readers often rely more on the lexical route, allowing for quick access to familiar words without sounding them out.
2. In contrast, less skilled readers may depend more heavily on the non-lexical route, leading to slower reading speeds as they decode words phonetically.
3. Research indicates that brain regions such as the left temporo-parietal cortex are involved in the lexical route, while areas like the left inferior frontal gyrus are associated with the non-lexical route.
4. Dyslexia is often explained through the lens of the dual route model, where individuals may struggle with one or both of the processing routes.
5. This model has implications for reading instruction, suggesting that teaching strategies should support both lexical and phonological skills to enhance overall reading development.

Review Questions

• How do the lexical and non-lexical routes function differently in word recognition according to the dual route model?
  • In the dual route model, the lexical route allows readers to access a word's meaning and pronunciation directly from memory based on its visual appearance. This is often used by skilled readers for familiar words, facilitating faster recognition. Conversely, the non-lexical route involves decoding the word phonetically by sounding it out, which is typically employed by less skilled readers or when encountering unfamiliar words.
• Discuss how variations in reading abilities among individuals can be explained by the dual route model.
  • Variations in reading abilities can be attributed to differences in reliance on either the lexical or non-lexical routes. Skilled readers tend to use the lexical route efficiently, allowing for rapid word recognition and comprehension. In contrast, struggling readers may rely more on the non-lexical route, which can slow down their reading speed and comprehension. This difference in processing strategies highlights how targeted interventions can help individuals strengthen their reading skills by developing both routes.
• Evaluate how the dual route model contributes to our understanding of dyslexia and its impact on reading development.
  • The dual route model enhances our understanding of dyslexia by identifying specific difficulties that individuals with this condition may experience with either or both processing routes. For instance, some people with dyslexia may struggle significantly with phonological processing in the non-lexical route, making it challenging to decode words. Others might have issues accessing their mental lexicon efficiently, impacting their use of the lexical route. This nuanced understanding emphasizes the need for personalized reading interventions that address these specific deficits, ultimately supporting better reading development for individuals with dyslexia.

Related terms

Lexical Access: The process of retrieving a word's meaning and pronunciation from the mental lexicon based on its visual form.

Phonological Processing:

The ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language, which is essential for decoding written words using the non-lexical route.

Reading Fluency:

The ability to read text smoothly and accurately, which is influenced by the efficiency of both lexical and non-lexical routes in word recognition.