Mediation and Forgetting

Abstract

An experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that the presence of mediation can reduce verbal forgetting. During original learning experimental groups acquired two classes of multiple mediators that intervened between the stimulus and response members of a paired-associate list (A-C). An AB-BC-AC paradigm was used for experimental groups. Control groups did not have the mediators and simply learned the A-C list. All groups recalled the A-C list after either three or seven days. There were 20 Ss in each group. Experimental groups were not found superior to control groups in recall, as hypothesized. One type of mediation actually produced retention inferior to that of control groups. Some implications for mediation, the interference hypothesis of forgetting, and amount recalled, were discussed.