AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is the term for the tendency to recall the first and last items in a list more effectively than the middle items?

1. Chunking effect

2. Serial recall

3. Primacy-Recency effect

4. Sequential memory

The correct answer is: Primacy-Recency effect

The term that describes the tendency to recall the first and last items in a list more effectively than the middle items is known as the primacy-recency effect. This concept stems from the idea that items at the beginning of a list benefit from greater encoding and rehearsal, allowing for better retention (the primacy effect), while items at the end of the list are still fresh in short-term memory (the recency effect). In the context of memory studies, the primacy effect suggests that people are more likely to remember earlier items due to their longer exposure time and the ability to commit them to long-term memory. Simultaneously, the recency effect indicates that the most recently presented items are still accessible in working or short-term memory at the moment of recall. This dual influence leads to the distinctive pattern seen in recall tasks, where list items are remembered more vividly at the start and end, while those in the middle are often less recalled. The other terms listed do not encapsulate this specific phenomenon. Chunking refers to organizing information into smaller, manageable units, while serial recall pertains to the order in which items must be recalled. Sequential memory typically relates to how well items are remembered in the order they were presented, without the specific emphasis on