Interaction of arousal and recall interval in nonsense syllable paired-associate learning.

Abstract

Using meaningful paired associates as stimuli it has been shown previously that due to the phenomenon of perseverative consolidation high-arousal associates show stronger permanent memory and weaker immediate memory than low-arousal associates. The present experiment was designed to show that this phenomenon is independent of the association values or unique qualities of the words involved. While recording skin resistance as a measure of arousal, 36 Ss were presented 6 (0% association value) nonsense syllables paired with single-digit numbers. Ss were tested at 2 min., 20 min., or 1 wk. The results confirmed the hypothesis (p = .01). Nonsense syllable paired associates learned under low arousal exhibited high immediate recall and rapid forgetting. High-arousal associates exhibited a marked reminiscence effect, low immediate recall and high permanent memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)