What Makes a Successful Reader? An Examination of Creative Thinking, Analytic Thinking and Executive Functioning

Abstract

Elements of executive functioning have been widely examined in relation to reading comprehension. Creative thinking and analytic thinking appear to play a role in reading comprehension, but less is known about their relations with one another, or with executive functioning skills to predict reading comprehension. The current study examined creative thinking, analytic thinking, elements of executive functioning, and reading comprehension in 83 college students aged 18 to 25. Results revealed that creative and analytical thinking are important elements of reading comprehension, and make a significant contribution to reading comprehension above and beyond executive functioning skills. Results also revealed that executive functioning skills, particularly cognitive flexibility and planning, are associated with creative and analytic thinking. Examining literal and interpretive reading comprehension separately revealed analytic thinking to have a stronger association with literal comprehension than creative thinking, indicating that patterns of association differ across different types of reading comprehension. The current study allows a better understanding of reading comprehension in college students, and can inform reading related classroom practices and application.