Which processor is described as recognizing and remembering the visual patterns of written words and letters?

• A. Phonological Processor
• B. Orthographic Processor
• C. Meaning Processor
• D. Content Processor

Answer: (B)

Recognizing and remembering the visual patterns of written words and letters is about orthographic processing. This processor handles the visual structure of words—letter forms, sequences, and common spelling patterns—and stores familiar word forms so you can recognize words quickly on sight. That quick recognition underpins fluent reading because you don’t have to sound out every word from scratch; you access stored visual representations of words instead.

Phonological processing, by contrast, deals with sounds and how letters map to sounds, which is important for decoding unfamiliar words. Meaning processing relates to word meanings and semantics, not the visual patterns of letters. The term for a generic content processor isn’t part of this standard framework. So recognizing and remembering how words look visually best fits the orthographic processor.