Cognitive categories and memory span: II. The effect of temporal vs. categorical recall

Subjects were presented with mixed lists of elements chosen from at least two formally distinct cognitive categories and were instructed to recall either temporally (i.e. in the actual order of arrival), or categorically (i.e. first all elements of one category followed by those of the other). Temporal recall is found to be superior when the categories are even and uneven digits; categorical recall is better when consonants and tones or consonants and spatial positions are mixed. Approximately equal performance is found with consonants and digits. It is suggested that efficiency of recall strategy depends on the relative strength of pre-existing associative bonds between elements from different cognitive categories. When these connections are weaker the probability increases that class membership rather than succession in time determines the assimilation of the list. It is found that with consonants and digits it does not matter whether instruction is given before or after presentation. This suggests that both recall modes can be activated at the same time. The implication of this result for work on dichotic listening is discussed.