When examining errors made during retrieval in a serial position curve experiment, the tendency is that:
A)people make errors based on meaning during the recency portion of the curve.
B)people make errors based on meaning during the primacy portion of the curve.
C)people make errors based on sound during the primacy portion of the curve.
D)people never make errors for recency items because they use working memory.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primacy portion of the curve has been shown to be affected by semantic encoding, where people tend to use meaning rather than sound-based encoding to remember the items. Therefore, errors made during the retrieval of the primacy items are likely to be based on meaning rather than sound or other factors.

When Examining Errors Made During Retrieval in a Serial Position