What theory claims that readers have difficulty in comprehension because they are focused on word identification?

The theory that claims readers have difficulty in comprehension because they are focused on word identification is known as the "Simple View of Reading".

This theory, proposed by Gough and Tunmer (1986), posits that reading comprehension is a product of two key components:

1. Word Recognition: The ability to decode words quickly and accurately.

2. Language Comprehension: The ability to understand the meaning of words and sentences, and to make inferences and draw conclusions.

The theory suggests that:

* Poor word recognition skills can hinder comprehension. If readers struggle to decode words, their attention is consumed by this process, leaving little cognitive resources for understanding the text's meaning. This is often referred to as the "word identification bottleneck".

* Strong language comprehension can compensate for weaker decoding skills. Even if readers struggle with word recognition, good language comprehension can allow them to make sense of the text.

However, it's important to note:

* The Simple View of Reading is a simplified model, and other factors such as working memory, background knowledge, and motivation can also play a role in reading comprehension.

* The theory emphasizes the importance of strong decoding skills as a foundation for comprehension, but it doesn't imply that decoding is the only factor involved.

In summary, while the Simple View of Reading focuses on the impact of word identification on comprehension, it's a complex process influenced by various factors.