Memory for Words in a Serial List as a Function of Primacy-Recency, Frequency, Length, Order, and Location in a Two-Dimensional Emotional Space

Abstract

Two emotional dimensions (evaluation, activation) were used along with serial position, word frequency, word length, and word order as independent variables in a serial list recall task with 36 words ( N = 30 subjects). All variables were significantly related to recall in some fashion. Pleasant or unpleasant, active, short, common words in a primary or recency position were best recalled. Serial position was associated with the strongest significant main effect (η = .41), while activation, order, frequency, and length led to significant main effects of approximately equal strength (average η = .24). A number of significant two-way interactions among independent variables highlighted the complex manner in which these variables affect recall.

Emotional stimuli in rapid serial visual presentation

“…This benefit cannot be explained by a guessing bias (Experiment 3) or by priming effects (Experiments 3 and 4). The recall advantage for affect-laden material corroborates previous data obtained with longer visual exposures (Bradley & Lang, 2000;Bradley et al, 1992;Lamarche et al, 1993;Maltzman et al, 1966;Paul & Whissell, 1992). In the present circumstances, this recall advantage reinforces the idea that the emotional load facilitated token individuation (Chun, 1997).…”

“…stimuli (Bradley, Greenwald, Petry, & Lang, 1992;Bradley & Lang, 2000;Lamarche, Campbell, Matheson, & Whissell, 1993;Maltzman, Kantor, & Langdon, 1966;Paul & Whissell, 1992).…”