Recognition reaction time for digits in consecutive and nonconsecutive memorized sets.

Abstract

Conducted 2 RT experiments with 39 male undergraduates to examine an implication of a serial exhaustive model of memory search proposed by S. Sternberg (see 40:10). For a recognition memory task, the model assumes that representations of a test stimulus are compared successively to every item in a memorized set. Since the search process is assumed to be exhaustive and to terminate only after every element in the memorized set (positive set) has been checked for a recognition match, RT (an index of search time) should not vary as a function a numeral's ordinal position in a positive set of digits. In Exp. I, positive sets consisted of 4 consecutive digits. Reactions to positive digits varied systematically as a function of the position of the digit in the memorized set, with the longest reactions being observed for digits on the borders of the set. In Exp II, with nonconsecutive digits there was no systematic relationship between RT and position in the positive set. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)