MCAT® ExamPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorEasy
A researcher conducts an experiment where participants are shown a series of images, each depicting a different object. They are then asked to recall as many objects as possible. The researcher observes that participants tend to remember the first few objects and the last few objects shown, but struggle with objects in the middle. This phenomenon is best explained by which of the following?
- AContext-dependent memory
- BRetroactive interference
- CProactive interference
- DSerial position effect
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Serial position effect
The serial position effect describes the tendency to remember the first and last items in a series particularly well. This is due to the primacy effect for early items and the recency effect for later items.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Context-dependent memory refers to improved recall when the retrieval environment is similar to the encoding environment.
- B. Retroactive interference occurs when new memories interfere with the retrieval of old memories.
- C. Proactive interference occurs when old memories interfere with the retrieval of new memories.
Serial Position Effect
The serial position effect is the tendency of a person to recall the first and last items in a series best, and the middle items worst.
- Comprises the primacy effect (better recall of early items) and the recency effect (better recall of late items).
- Often observed in tasks involving free recall of lists.
- Related to different memory storage mechanisms (long-term vs. short-term memory).
Memory trick: Remembering a 'serial' of items often shows a 'position' preference.