The serial position curve in immediate serial recall

Abstract

Two different kinds of serial position curves are produced by immediate serial recall of supraspan lists. One is the regular bow-shaped curve, generally regarded as the standard shape. The other is a curve in which recall decreases from the first to about the third serial position, levels off at the fourth position, and then decreases more sharply at the fifth serial position. In many studies, this marked pattern suggests a discontinuity in the serial position curve. This article reviews studies producing each kind of curve, presents some analyses suggesting that a chunking process is involved in the production of the second kind of curve, and discusses the significance of the problem for studies of serial recall and order information.