Developmental Effects in Free Recall Learning

Abstract

GLIDDEN, LARAINE MASTERS. Developmental Effects in Free Recall Learning. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 9-12. A multitrial free recall study assessed whether learning-to-learn and changes in strategy over sessions occurred with children in kindergarten and grade 3. An experimental group learned 5 successive lists on 5 successive days, whereas a control group learned only 2 lists, on day 1 and day 5 of the experimental group training. Grade 3 subjects recalled more than did kindergarten subjects, but no learning-to-learn effect was obtained for either age group. Several other measures such as subjective organization and serial position effects were obtained. All of the measures showed an age effect, but only subjective organization increased over sessions. The discussion suggests that developmental differences cannot be eliminated merely by providing experience with a task. More intensive strategy training may be necessary.