Backward recall and benchmark effects of working memory

Article

Bireta, Tamra J., Fry, Sheena E., Jalbert, Annie, Neath, Ian, Surprenant, Aimee M., Tehan, Gerald and Tolan, Georgina Anne. 2010. "Backward recall and benchmark effects of working memory." Memory and Cognition. 38 (3), pp. 279-291. https://doi.org/10.3758/MC.38.3.279
Article Title

Backward recall and benchmark effects of working memory

ERA Journal ID6515
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsBireta, Tamra J. (Author), Fry, Sheena E. (Author), Jalbert, Annie (Author), Neath, Ian (Author), Surprenant, Aimee M. (Author), Tehan, Gerald (Author) and Tolan, Georgina Anne (Author)
Journal TitleMemory and Cognition
Journal Citation38 (3), pp. 279-291
Number of Pages13
Year2010
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN0090-502X
1532-5946
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3758/MC.38.3.279
Web Address (URL)https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/MC.38.3.279
Abstract

Working memory was designed to explain four benchmark memory effects: the word length effect, the irrelevant
speech effect, the acoustic confusion effect, and the concurrent articulation effect. However, almost all research thus far has used tests that emphasize forward recall. In four experiments, we examine whether each effect is observable when the items are recalled in reverse order. Subjects did not know which recall direction would be required until the time of test, ensuring that encoding processes would be identical for both recall directions. Contrary to predictions of both the primacy model and the feature model, the benchmark memory effect was either absent or greatly attenuated with backward recall, despite being present with forward recall. Direction of recall had no effect on the more difficult conditions (e.g., long words, similar-sounding items, items presented with irrelevant speech, and items studied with concurrent articulation). Several factors not considered by the primacy and feature models are noted, and a possible explanation within the framework of the SIMPLE model is briefly presented.

Keywordsword length effect; irrelevant speech effect; acoustic confusion effect; concurrent articulation effect; backwards recall; memory
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520499. Cognitive and computational psychology not elsewhere classified
529999. Other psychology not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsCollege of New Jersey, United States
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Department of Psychology
Australian Catholic University
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