The von Restorff effect and measures of organization in normals and retardates

Thirty-two noninstitutionalized retardates and 32 normals of equal mental age (approximately 8 years) heard 10 orders of 10 nouns when the decibel (dB) level of the stimuli was the same and when the dB level of the sixth item was higher. The yon Restorff effect was demonstrated by both groups. The normals’ overall recall was superior to that of the retardates’ recall. Differences in recall were attributed to the normals’ tendency to recall items in the same serial order more consistently. The subjective organization of lists, as measured by order of recall, differed for the normals and retardates; the normal group was more adaptable than the retarded group in adjusting their strategy to different list conditions.