Individual differences in memory and the serial position effect

Abstract

The present study investigated changes, if any, in the serial position curve when Ss were grouped on the basis of lzigh to low recall scores. Ss received eight lists of verbal concept formation materials (Type I) for recall and eight weeks later, eight lists of nonsense syllables material (Type II) for recall. A group by serial position interaction was found for Type I but not Type II material. Differential primacy-recency effects for the serial position curves were found for the two types of material. A correlation of. 62 between perfonnance on Type I and Type II material was obtained.