Two groups hear a list of 20 unrelated items at the same one-item-per-second rate and are then tested for free recall. For group I, the test comes 1 second after hearing the final item in the list. For group II, the test comes 30 seconds after hearing the final item, with the 30 seconds filled with backward counting. Which of the following should we expect?
A) the same primacy effect for both groups; a greater recency effect for group I
B) the same primacy effect for both groups; a greater recency effect for group II
C) the same recency effect for both groups; a greater primacy effect for group I
D) the same recency effect for both groups; a greater primacy effect for group II

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primacy effect, reflecting memory for items at the beginning of the list, should be similar for both groups since it is less affected by the interval between presentation and recall. The recency effect, reflecting memory for the last items, would be greater for group I because the immediate test allows less time for forgetting the most recent items, unlike group II, where the 30-second filled delay (backward counting) interferes with the retention of these items.

Two Groups Hear a List of 20 Unrelated Items at the Same