Long-term Memory

• memory for longer lists is worse (length effect)
– A,B,C vs. A,B,C,D,E,F
• memory is better when stimuli are studied longer
(strength effect)
– A,B,C vs. A,A,A,B,B,B,C,C,C
– distributed study is better than massed study (i.e., cramming)
• spacing effect
– A,A,A,B,B,B,C,C,C vs. C,A,BA,B,C,B,A,C
– Encoding variability
» More cues (many hooks one memory)
» Cue overload (one hook many memories)
• differences between recognition and recall
– low frequency (obscure) items are recognized better but harder
to recall
– high frequency (common) items are harder to recognized but
easier to recall