Recall order determines the magnitude of directed forgetting in the within-participants list method.
In three experiments, we investigated the effect of recall order on directed forgetting when the within-participants list method is used. Experiment 1 showed that participants tend to recall to-be-remembered (R) items before to-be-forgotten (F) items when they can recall items in any order. In Experiment 2, recall order was manipulated (F-R or R-F). The results showed that only the R-F order led to directed forgetting. Finally, in Experiment 3, recall order was also manipulated, and half of the participants were explicitly instructed to use a relational strategy when both F and R items were presented. Again, only the R-F order led to directed forgetting. These results demonstrate that directed forgetting under the list method hinges on the output order in which participants recall the F and R information. Thus, output order should be taken into account by researchers investigating specific mechanisms that lead to directed forgetting.
Golding
Jonathan M
JM
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA. golding@uky.edu
Gottlob
Lawrence R
LR
D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D014825:Vocabulary