Direct Evidence Delay with A Task Decreases Working Memory Content in Free Recall

TL;DR

This study provides direct evidence that a delay with a task before free recall reduces the content of working memory, supporting the idea that such delays can impair immediate memory retrieval.

Contribution

It offers the first direct evidence confirming that a task delay before recall diminishes working memory content in free recall tasks.

Findings

Delay with a task reduces working memory content

Supports the two-stage model of free recall

Confirms the impact of pre-recall delays on memory

Abstract

Recently it was shown that free recall consists of two stages: the first few recalls empty the working memory and a second stage concludes the recall (Tarnow, 2015; for a review of the theoretical prediction see Murdock, 1974). It is commonly believed that a delay with a task before the recall starts removes the content of working memory (Glanzer & Cunitz, 1966). Here is presented the first direct evidence that this is indeed the case.