Abstract
The basic experimental task consisted of memorization of a list of consonants followed by positionally probed recall of a single item. Immediately after presentation of a list, a positional probe was presented indicating the serial position (SP) of the requested item. Response latency was the main dependent measure. Previous studies with this paradigm have shown that if many trials are run in close succession, the latency for the most recent SP is smaller than that for the first SP, whereas the reverse is found when trials are given in relative isolation. The hypothesis is tested that this effect reflects a buildup of proactive interference (PI) over successive trials. Subjects received strings of six closely spaced trials, and the effect of successive trials on RT was measured. In line with the common findings on PI in short-term recall, the main effect of PI occurred at the second trial of a string, without any clear effect at later trials. Hence, the relatively strong recency effect as observed with many closely spaced trials seems not to be due to PI but to a more aspecific change in resource allocation to the various parts of the list.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Craik, F. I., & Birtwistle, J. (1971). Proactive inhibition in free recall. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 91, 120–123.
Hendrikx, A. J. P. (1983). On the origin of proactive interference in short-term retention. Unpublished manuscript, Tilburg University.
Hendrikx, A. J. P. (1984a). Effects of grouping on recall latency. Acta Psychologica 55, 1–18.
Hendrikx, A. J. P. (1984b). Temporal aspects of retrieval in short-term retention. Acta Psychologica, 57, 193–214.
Hockey, R., MacLean, A., & Hamilton, P. (1981). State changes and the temporal patterning of component resources. In J. Long & A. Baddeley (Eds.), Attention and performance IX (pp. 607–621). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Keppel, G., & Underwood, B. J. (1962). Proactive inhibition in short-term retention of single items. Journal of Verbal Learning & Verbal Behavior, 1, 153–161.
Loess, H., & Waugh, N. C. (1967). Short-term memory and intertrial interval. Journal of Verbal Learning & Verbal Behavior, 3, 362–368.
Posner, M. I., & Konick, A. F. (1966). On the role of interference in short-term memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 72, 221–231.
Sanders, A. F. (1975). Some remarks on short-term memory. In P. M. A. Rabbitt & S. Dornic (Eds.), Attention and performance V. New York: Academic Press.
Sanders, A. F., & Willemsen, E. M. (1978). The course of proactive interference in immediate probed recall. Acta Psychologica, 42, 133–144.
Turvey, M. T., & Weeks, R. A. (1975). Effects of proactive interference in immediate serial recall. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 27, 47–62.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by The Netherlands Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research, Z.W.O., Grant 152611.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hendrikx, A.J.P. Short-term proactive interference revisited. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 24, 358–360 (1986). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330151
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330151