A Comparative Analysis of Serial and Free Recall

Overview

Journal Mem Cognit

Specialty Psychology

Date 2005 Dec 31

PMID 16383171

Citations 28

Authors

Krystal A Klein

Kelly M Addis

Michael J Kahana

Affiliations

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Abstract

Multitrial free and serial recall tasks differ both in recall instruction and in presentation order across trials. Waugh (1961) compared these paradigms with an intermediate condition: free recall with constant presentation order. She concluded that differences between free and serial recall were due only to recall instructions, and not to presentation order. The present study reevaluated the relation between free and serial recall, using Waugh's three conditions. By examining recall transitions and the organization of information retained across trials, we conclude that presentation order is an important factor, causing participants to exhibit the same temporal associations in serial recall and in free recall with constant presentation order.

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