FREE-RECALL LEARNING AS A FUNCTION OF PRIOR-LIST ORGANIZATION

The negative transfer which is observed in part-whole, free-recall learning may reflect interference from inappropriate memory units which are developed during part-list learning (Tulving, 1966). In the present study, the selection of words for the part lists established varying degrees of congruence with appropriate memory units for whole-list learning. In accord with the initial hypothesis, the rate of whole-list learning was slowest when the composition of the part list prevented the development of appropriate whole-list memory units. Differences between groups in the sequence of recall of old and new items and items within the same category gave added confirmation to the hypothesis. © 1969 Academic Press, Inc. All rights reserved.