How awareness of these psychology findings helped me excel.
Summer Lotus Nov 1 5 min read
Have you been in a situation where you were out to do your shopping and you left your to-do list behind? Your brain could not remember the several items but you could recall the first and last few items off your list which you verified later.
This effect is calledthe Serial Position Effect and its truth had been borne out in experiments and was first discovered by Herman Ebbinghaus in the 1960s. He was the psychologist who discovered the Serial Position effect which is of great significance to those who are interested in learning and understanding practical psychology.
The Serial Positioning effect itself comprises of the primacy effect and the recency effect. Basically, people remember the first and last things on a list.
Glanzer and Cunitz reinforced this theory when they did an experiment in 1966 where they gave 240 men to memorize words. When asked to recall, words at the beginning and the end were successfully recollected. But they added a task to one group as a distraction and then tested them on recall.
The control group who was not distracted could remember the first and last items but the distracted group struggled to remember the last items after the distraction. The recency effect was reduced.
The conclusion drawn was that the beginning words were stored in the long-term memory and the later words were in the short-term memory. The interruption affected short-term memory.
The primacy effect has an anchoring effect. We remember the first things that are mentioned and the first experience as well as the first impression. It is etched into our minds. The middle information becomes secondary.
Even though they may pale in significance as time goes on and we understand things or people better, the very first impression or experience has a bearing on what lies ahead in your decision or your interaction with that person from the start. They may stop you from further relating to the person or from avoiding a certain event. So first impressions and experience are important and they would be best pleasant and memorable.
The recency effect has proven the stickiness for memory for the last things mentioned. Besides being proven by Glanzer and Cunitz’s experiment, the Murdock study employed a long list of items on participants also proved the same effect except that no distractions are involved.
How do we apply the knowledge of the serial position effect ( primacy and recency effects) to our daily lives for more efficiency?
Let’s take the field of public speaking as an example.
Because of the primacy effect that has the element of anchoring ideas in our long-term memory, use a very interesting opening style of introduction that captures the audience’s attention and makes them want to listen more.
The primacy effect can be enhanced by presenting the ideas slowly. So, in your introduction, go at a very steady pace to make sure what you are about to talk about sink into your audience’s minds and they would pay you full attention thereafter.
Since the middle part is likely to be muddled, one important strategy is to be very organized in your details that support your speech. Usually, there should not be more than three main points and each should have evidence to prove its point.
There should be signposts as you make the transition into a new idea much like paragraphing. Of course, here the skills of speech delivery will come into play but we shall stick to the structure of the speech.
Because of the recency effect, in the conclusion of your speech, it would be very effective to summarize the main points so that the listeners’ memories are jotted again as they are likely to remember the last things mentioned. A strong call for action helps fulfill the purpose of your speech and makes them feel motivated and get going.
Remember; the last thing sticks!
In a Toastmasters meeting, we have honed our speeches, aware of the serial position effect. Experienced members are very diplomatic when evaluating new members’ performance. Even if there are many aspects to improve on, we would structure the recommendations given that the speaker is new to speaking. Evaluators would commend, recommend then commend for the first and last part to stick and motivate. The feedback becomes more acceptable even if they may sound unpleasant but necessary for the member’s growth.
First, the ‘bad news’ then the ‘good news’ and it always leaves the participant feeling that he is getting value for money as a member and at the same time happy and motivated.
How to reduce recency bias?
One tends to remember the latest performance of staff, a stock or fund, etc so for a more objective picture, keep a log or record of the long-term performance before you can make a fair assessment or judgment.
At work, when evaluating someone’s performance, remember to end on a good note after you have highlighted some of the negatives. This will soften the blow of the feedback and make your colleague more encouraged to change for the better. The employee would feel good yet mindful of his shortcomings.
When a meeting or date did not go well, ending the meeting politely with some good comments and a positive note would definitely not leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. “ It was great knowing you!” “ Let’s keep in touch sometime again!” are great parting words. The first impression counts, the last impression counts too!
If you happen to be in the middle of a long line of interviewees, knowing that the primacy effect and recency effect may affect the judge’s decision, then work harder on your x-factor or special talent when discussing them so that you stand out as indelible.
What you say in your parting shot before you leave the room could be your last chance to snare the interviewer’s attention to your potential. So, remember to thank them, request for an opportunity, make your commitment known and have a graceful exit.
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