Which reading strategy has research in cognitive psychology found to be most effective for maximizing academic success?

• A. Highlighting large sections of text without further review
• B. Active reading, which involves questioning, summarizing, and making connections while reading
• C. Rereading the same passage multiple times without engaging with the content
• D. Skimming the material quickly to get a general idea

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cognitive psychology research focuses on how mental processes like attention, memory, and comprehension affect learning and academic success.
2. Recognize that passive strategies such as highlighting large sections, rereading without engagement, or skimming quickly do not deeply involve cognitive processing, which limits their effectiveness.
3. Identify that active reading is a strategy where the reader actively engages with the material by questioning the content, summarizing key points, and making connections to prior knowledge.
4. Know that active reading promotes deeper cognitive processing, which enhances understanding, retention, and the ability to apply information, leading to better academic outcomes.
5. Conclude that research supports active reading as the most effective strategy for maximizing academic success because it involves meaningful interaction with the text rather than passive exposure.