Primacy And Recency Effect Psychology Essay
Serial learning is a process in which the learner is exposed to series of stimuli; later the learner is asked to recall his memory in the same sequence in which stimuli have been exposed to him. Serial leaning is part of our daily life; we are required to learn things in sequence and if we do not remember the sequence it will affect our desired goal (Jensen, 1965). Examples of serial learning include baking a cake, visiting friend’s home and driving a car.
Primacy and Recency Effect
The concept of primacy and recency effect has been explained in the serial position effect. Serial position effect means when people are exposed to series of stimuli; either they recall most of the recent ones (recency effect) or first few stimuli (primacy effect) most likely (Castel, 2008). The items in the middle are mostly hard for people to recall. Researchers believe that the items which are exposed to learners in start are saved in their long term memory and the items which are exposed to the learners in the end are saved in short term memory. That’s why when the learners are asked to recall their memories; they either retrieved those items which are saved in their short term memory and later the items exposed to them in the start (Sousa, 2006).
Series of prizes are mentioned for playing a game. We mostly remember the first few prizes giving the most importance to the first few prizes.
Being close to a friend for years and then recently you have a fight with her; will make you change your opinion about her because of the recent fight. This is the recency effect bias.
Free Recall, Cued Recall, and Recognition Memory
Learners are exposed to several stimuli. Later on the learners are asked to recall the items
In free recall learners are allowed to recall in any sequence. Whereas in cued recall, learners are given hints to recall the stimuli. In recognition memory the stimulus helps to remember some previous events or feelings. Selective retention is done through the process of recognition memory.
Free Recall – when an accident happens news reporter asks witness to know what happened. The witness recalls freely and describes the incident.
Cued Recall – when the accident is recalled by the eye witness; the reporters asks him about criminal’s identification (how he looks, what he was wearing) which the eye witness might not able to recall if he is not given hints.
Recognition Memory – once the suspects of the accidents are captured by the police; eye witness is asked to recognize the criminals.
Encoding and Retrieval of Information from Memory
Encoding is a process of observing and converting the information into a form which is stored in short and long term memory of human memory (Mohs, 2011). Retrieval is the process in which the human brain brings back the information from his mind’s storage of memory.
Variable of encoding of information
Intention to learn
Utilization of imagery
Example of encoding of information
Intention to learn effects the encoding of information in our minds. For example while preparing for my exams; how hardly I memorize the lectures depends on my intention to learn.
Variable of retrieval of information
Use of mnemonic devices
Lack of interference
Example of Retrieval of information from memory
Things I like the most and closer to me; I place them in the top shelf of my cupboard having special association with them. Whenever I need anything closer to me; I always look for it in my top shelf.
Learning without Any Real Awareness or Intention to Learn
Learning can occur without real awareness or intention to learn. It is because of unconscious processing of our brains. Such kind of learning is known as the adaptive unconsciousness and learning by osmosis.
I learnt French without knowing that I am learning this language. I learnt because people around me speak this language.
Sometimes a song plays in my mind not because it’s my favorite song. It is because that I heard the song in some shop or TV channel.
Mnemonic Used in Learning Material
A learning technique which is used to 