Review of Reversal Tendencies in Reading

Abstract

Reviews the book, Reversal Tendencies in Reading by A. I. Gates and C. C. Bennett (1933). The tendency toward reversing the sequence of letters within words has long been recognized as an important diagnostic sign of reading deficiency. This monograph is a contribution on the theoretical and practical significance of such reversal errors. Previous work is criticised, new experimental findings presented, and remedial suggestions offered. A careful consideration of the part played by eye movements in reading would suggest that the authors have made questionable inferences concerning the part played by the eye movements in enhancing tendencies to reversals. It is well known that all beginners in reading show tendencies toward reversals. Satisfactory evidence in terms of eye-movement habits is not adduced by the authors to explain why these reversals persist in only the few children who become deficient in reading. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)