The serial position effect of free recall

Abstract

The serial position curve is characterized by a steep, possibly exponential, primacy effect extending over the 1st 3 or 4 words in the list, an S-shaped recency effect extending over the last 8 words in the list, and a horizontal asymptote spanning the primacy and recency effect. The shape of the curve may well result from proactive and retroactive inhibition effects occurring within the list itself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1962 American Psychological Association.