VIVIDNESS OF ADJECTIVES AND RECALL OF MEANINGFUL VERBAL MATERIAL

Either vivid or dull adjectives (roughly equal in TL frequency and m) were inserted into a narrative in 17 appropriate and identical slots. In immediate written recall after oral presentation 36 Ss hearing the vivid narrative showed greater productivity (p<.01) and greater recall of nouns (p<.05) than did 40 Ss who heard the dull narrative. Recall of the vivid and dull adjectives themselves showed no differences in immediate or delayed assisted recall It is proposed that vividness of adjectives may involve an alerting or energizing function. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.