Influences of retrieval processes on the spacing effect in free recall.
Arthur M. Glenberg · Journal of Experimental Psychology Human Learning & Memory · 1977
A two-process theory of the spacing effect in free recall is presented and tested. The first process, differential organization, produces a positive correlation between the spacing of the presentations of repeated words and the number of different retrieval routes that can provide access to the words. The retrieval process interacts with the differential organization to control performance. If the cues used to retrieve the words provide approximately equal access to all retrieval routes, then the function relating spacing to recall will increase monotonically. If only selected retrieval routes are used, then the spacing function will be nonmonotonic. Evidence supporting this theory is that (a) the monotonic spacing function is most robust when subjects study the list using an organizational strategy, (b) cuing and directing retrieval with input words can result in a nonmonotonic effect of spacing when subjects have used an organizational strategy, and (c) directing retrieval by instructions about the order of recall can result in a nonmonotonic effect of spacing. The free-recall paradigm has been used extensively to investigate the effects of the spacing (lag) between the presentations of repeated items (D'Agostino & DeRemer, 1973; Madigan, 1969; Melton, 1970; Underwood, 1969). The predominate finding is that items given massed presentations, when the two presentations of a repeated item are contiguous, are recalled less often than items whose presentations are distributed. In addition, many investigators have reported that The first experiment is taken from a dissertation submitted to the University of Michigan in partial fulfillment for the requirements of the doctoral degree. Gratitude is expressed to the members of my