The effect of relative group size on memory: An investigation using multiple measures of memory

Susan Elizabeth Coats, Purdue University

Abstract

Previous research has established that information about minority group members is better recalled than is information about majority group members. The purpose of the present research is to extend our knowledge of memory for minority versus majority group members. The influence of relative group size on memory was examined by employing both explicit and implicit memory tests (Experiment 1), by examining the organization of information about group members in memory using a modified version of the “who said what” procedure (Experiment 2), and by examining retention of information over time (Experiment 1 and 2). In both experiments, participants were presented with information about members of two novel groups. One group, the minority group, consisted of 3 members and the other group, the majority group, consisted of 9 members. Consistent with predictions, experiment 1 found that minority targets were recalled better than majority targets. The hypothesis that majority members would reveal a stronger memory trace on the implicit measure, however, was not supported. The multinomial analyses of the ‘who said what’ data from experiment 2 indicated that group membership was encoded and used to organize information about group members. Contrary to predictions, there was no evidence that the relative group size of the group affected the extent of categorization. In both experiments, delay hindered performance on the memory tests, but did not interact with relative group size. The impact of relative group size on perception and memory is discussed.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Smith, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology

COinS