The priority effect: Test effects on negative transfer and control lists

Abstract

A study is reported investigating the “priority effect.” This effect refers to the finding of superior List 1 recall over List 2 on a MMFR test when the two lists conform to an A-B, A-D procedure. The result that the priority effect occurs only when no immediate test is given is confirmed. In addition, when AB-CD lists are used, no such effect is found. It is suggested that the assumption that the priority effect results from a process operating at the list level needs to be augmented based on these findings. © 1976, The psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.