Relationship of Critical Flicker-Fusion Thresholds to Reading Readiness in Six-Year-Old Children

Abstract

Critical flicker-fusion thresholds were determined for two groups of 6-yr.-old children, differentiated on the basis of their readiness for reading instruction. There was no significant difference between the mean cff scores for the high and low readiness groups. Their off scores were slightly higher than those reported by Howe (1963) for the same age level. There appeared to be a tendency for these Ss to cross thresholds on succeeding ascending and descending trials. This may have been due to a response-delay, or to administration procedures. There was no significant correlation between off thresholds and scores on reading readiness, intelligence, and reading achievement. There were no significant relationships between off scores and results of visual screening examinations. It was concluded that off procedures ate not of practical value for the identification of children with low reading readiness.