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Procedure
Each participant was individually shown 15 lists containing 15 words. Three conditions of the independent variable
Immediate recall after being shown the list
Recall after a 10 second interference task (counting aloud back in threes from a given number)
Recall after 30 second interference task (counting back in threes aloud from a given number
Results
Participants recalled words from the beginning of the list (primacy effect) and the end of the list (the recency effect) best. The results showed a U-shaped curve.
1. The words at the end of the list are only remembered if recalled first and tested immediately. Delaying recall by 30 seconds prevented the recency effect.
2. If participants were given a filler task just after hearing the last words, the primacy effect disappeared but the recency effect remained.
3. The recency effect could be due to the words still being active in STM (working memory).
4. Rehearsal could be a factor in transfer of information into LTM.
Evaluation
1. The study supports the idea of multiple stores (STM and LTM).
2. This is a controlled laboratory study with highly controlled variables, but there is no random allocation of participants to experimental conditions so it is not a true experiment.
3. There may be problems with ecological validity.
Aim
To investigate recency effect in free recall (i.e. in any order).
Who participated?
46 males who were enlisted in the US army
Note 
Flashcard (59)