The Detection of Recency and Primacy Effect in Free Recall Task
Melis Vural
Student number: 2809934
Vrije Amsterdam
Tutor: Eleonora Samartzi
Group: 6
Course: Research Methods 1
Date: 29/10/2023
Abstract: 000 words
Introduction: 000 words
Discussion: 000 words
, Abstract
Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study investigated and found evidence for the primacy and
recency effect in free recall tasks. Similarly, Alkinson and Shriffin ‘s (1968) Modal Model
theory suggested that the short-term memory has limited capacity.
This study aimed to replicate the Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study on primacy and recency
effect in a free recall task. It has been hypothesised that similar results will be found: both
conditions showing primacy effects and the immediate condition also showing recency
effects. In this study participants were assigned to 2 conditions ( delayed or immediate ). In
delayed condition participants had to do an additional task which was backwards counting.
The results showed that there was primacy effect in both of the conditions whereas the
recency effect was only experienced in the immediate condition. This was due to the words in
the beginning of the word list being stored in the long term memory whereas the words at the
end of the word list being stored in the short term memory.
These findings support what was found in Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study. Also supported
Alkinson and Shriffin (1968) theory as the recency effect was a result of the short-term
memory having limited capacity. Furthermore, findings further supported the evidence found
by Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) and the study was successfully replicated.
Introduction
Melis Vural
Student number: 2809934
Vrije Amsterdam
Tutor: Eleonora Samartzi
Group: 6
Course: Research Methods 1
Date: 29/10/2023
Abstract: 000 words
Introduction: 000 words
Discussion: 000 words
, Abstract
Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study investigated and found evidence for the primacy and
recency effect in free recall tasks. Similarly, Alkinson and Shriffin ‘s (1968) Modal Model
theory suggested that the short-term memory has limited capacity.
This study aimed to replicate the Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study on primacy and recency
effect in a free recall task. It has been hypothesised that similar results will be found: both
conditions showing primacy effects and the immediate condition also showing recency
effects. In this study participants were assigned to 2 conditions ( delayed or immediate ). In
delayed condition participants had to do an additional task which was backwards counting.
The results showed that there was primacy effect in both of the conditions whereas the
recency effect was only experienced in the immediate condition. This was due to the words in
the beginning of the word list being stored in the long term memory whereas the words at the
end of the word list being stored in the short term memory.
These findings support what was found in Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) study. Also supported
Alkinson and Shriffin (1968) theory as the recency effect was a result of the short-term
memory having limited capacity. Furthermore, findings further supported the evidence found
by Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) and the study was successfully replicated.
Introduction
