MCAT® ExamCritical Analysis and Reasoning SkillsEasy
A participant in a psychological experiment is asked to recall a list of words. They remember the first few words and the last few words on the list much better than the words in the middle. This phenomenon is an example of which of the following cognitive biases?
- AConfirmation Bias
- BHindsight Bias
- CSerial Position Effect
- DAnchoring Effect
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Serial Position Effect
The serial position effect describes the tendency of a person to recall the first and last items in a series best, and the middle items worst.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs.
- B. Hindsight bias is the tendency to perceive past events as having been more predictable than they actually were.
- D. Anchoring effect is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered.
Serial Position Effect
The serial position effect is the tendency of a person to recall the first and last items in a list more accurately than the middle items.
- Comprises two components: primacy effect and recency effect.
- Primacy effect is better recall of early items.
- Recency effect is better recall of late items.
Memory trick: Serial killers remember the beginning and end of their list of victims.