Set-size effects and ordered recall

Christine Ostrowski Neumann, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the role of set size in memory for order, where set size is a measure of the number of associations related to the items in the to-be-remembered word list. Prior research into the impact of large and small association based set size on memory employed free recall, cued recall, fragment completion and recognition tasks and resulted in findings of memory facilitation, inhibition and no effect depending upon experimental conditions. In the current research, a series of experiments assessed the role of set size in ordered recall while employing reconstruction and ordered recall tasks. Similar to the previous findings, manipulation of association based set size can facilitate, inhibit or have no impact upon ordered recall depending upon experimental conditions. The pattern of performance for the reconstruction task matches that of free recall. Extant models of serial recall and the PIER model of set-size effects are analyzed for their ability to accommodate set size findings in ordered recall.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Nairne, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Cognitive therapy

COinS