Serial position: recency vs. primacy effect
Participants hear a 20-word list, then do a 30-second distracting task before recalling it. Compared with immediate recall, which effect is most reduced?
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
Primacy depends on early items having been rehearsed into long-term memory, so it is largely preserved.
B
Correct. Recency depends on the last items still being in short-term memory, which the distracting task displaces.
C
The spacing effect is better retention when study is spread out over time.
D
Proactive interference is old learning disrupting new learning. It does not describe the serial position curve.
TakeawayPrimacy reflects long-term memory. Recency reflects short-term memory.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps45.