EFFECTS ON THE PRIMACY AND RECENCY EFFECT THORUGH REPLICATION OF
THE FREE RECALL TASK
Effects on the primacy and recency effect through replication of the free recall task
Tutor:
Group: 05
Course: Research Methods 1
Date: 29.10.2023
Abstract: 200
Introduction: 562
Discussion: 458
, 2
REPLICATION OF THE FREE RECALL TASK
Abstract
This study represents a replication of the free recall experiment initially conducted by
Glanzer and Cunitz in 1966, which investigated the impact of delay on the primacy and
recency effects. The primary aim of our research was to assess the feasibility of replicating
their findings. Psychology students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: the no
delay group and the delay group. In both conditions, participants were presented with word
lists to memorize. Notably, the no delay group immediately engaged in a recall task following
word presentation, while the delay group performed a counting-backwards task before
initiating the recall procedure. Our findings indicate that the primacy effect, characterized by
superior recall of words at the beginning of the list, remained consistent across both groups. In
contrast, the recency effect, pertaining to enhanced recall of words at the list's end, was
significantly reduced in the delay group. These results contribute to the broader discussion
surrounding the external and contextual validity of the original Glanzer and Cunitz study.
Moreover, they address the ongoing replication challenges within the field of psychology and
provide empirical support for the theoretical foundations of the Modal Model, as proposed by
Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968.
THE FREE RECALL TASK
Effects on the primacy and recency effect through replication of the free recall task
Tutor:
Group: 05
Course: Research Methods 1
Date: 29.10.2023
Abstract: 200
Introduction: 562
Discussion: 458
, 2
REPLICATION OF THE FREE RECALL TASK
Abstract
This study represents a replication of the free recall experiment initially conducted by
Glanzer and Cunitz in 1966, which investigated the impact of delay on the primacy and
recency effects. The primary aim of our research was to assess the feasibility of replicating
their findings. Psychology students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: the no
delay group and the delay group. In both conditions, participants were presented with word
lists to memorize. Notably, the no delay group immediately engaged in a recall task following
word presentation, while the delay group performed a counting-backwards task before
initiating the recall procedure. Our findings indicate that the primacy effect, characterized by
superior recall of words at the beginning of the list, remained consistent across both groups. In
contrast, the recency effect, pertaining to enhanced recall of words at the list's end, was
significantly reduced in the delay group. These results contribute to the broader discussion
surrounding the external and contextual validity of the original Glanzer and Cunitz study.
Moreover, they address the ongoing replication challenges within the field of psychology and
provide empirical support for the theoretical foundations of the Modal Model, as proposed by
Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968.
