Primacy and recency effects in immediate free recall of sequences of spatial positions.

Full Abstract

This study evaluated the serial position curve based on free recall of spatial position sequences. To evaluate the memory processes underlying spatial recall, some manipulations were introduced by varying the length of spatial sequences (Exp. 1) and modifying the presentation rate of individual positions (Exp. 2). A primacy effect emerged for all sequence lengths, while a recency effect was evident only in the longer sequences. Moreover, slowing the presentation rate increased the magnitude of the primacy effect and abolished the recency effect. The main novelty of the present results is represented by the finding that better recall of early items in a sequence of spatial positions does not depend on the task requirement of an ordered recall but it can also be observed in a free recall paradigm.

Author information

Author/s: Bonanni, Rita (R); Pasqualetti, Patrizio (P); Caltagirone, Carlo (C); Carlesimo, Giovanni Augusto (GA);

Affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.CS., Roma, Italia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Perceptual and motor skills (Percept Mot Skills), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Oct; vol 105 (issue 2) : pp 483-500

Dates: Created 2007/12/10; Completed 2008/01/31;

PMID: 18065070, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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