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Memory recall is a fundamental cognitive process that has intrigued researchers for years. This experiment aimed to explore the influence of word organization on memory recall, employing an Independent Measures design. Participants were assigned to one of two conditions: either recalling words from an organized list (Condition 1) or from a random list (Condition 2). This design choice eliminated the advantage participants might have gained from prior exposure to the word lists in a different format.
A total of 34 participants, split evenly among three experimenters, took part in the study.
Opportunity Sampling was employed, and participants were primarily friends and family, chosen for accessibility. Age parameters were set between 16 and 60, with gender considered unimportant. Randomization was used to allocate participants to each condition, ensuring fairness.
The experiment utilized the following materials: typed lists of organized and unorganized words, standardized instructions, a debrief document, pens, paper, and a clock with a second hand. Detailed copies of word lists, instructions, and the debrief can be found in the Appendices.
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A calculator was also employed for statistical analysis, as outlined in Appendix 4.
The experiment involved a list of 20 words, each containing no more than six letters. The organized list was divided into four categories with relevant subject headings (see Appendix 1 for lists). Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, and the study adhered to strict time parameters to ensure consistency.
Standardized instructions were read to all participants (see Appendix 2), ensuring uniformity in the experiment's execution. In Condition 1, participants studied a prepared organized list of 20 words for one minute.
Subsequently, they were given a pen and blank paper, with two minutes to recall as many words as possible. In Condition 2, participants studied an unorganized list of 20 words for one minute, followed by the same recall procedure.
After the test, a debriefing statement (see Appendix 3) was read to all participants to address ethical concerns regarding confidentiality and anonymity.
The results of the study indicated that participants recalled more words from an organized list (mean 15.24) than from a random list (mean 12.35). Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test showed a less than 5% chance that this result occurred by chance, thereby supporting the Directional Hypothesis. Consequently, the Null Hypothesis was rejected.
The study's results align with findings from similar experiments, confirming that participants exhibited better recall when presented with categorized lists compared to random ones. The Mann-Whitney test's results further validate this, indicating a less than 5% probability of chance. The directional hypothesis was chosen based on previous research, and it was upheld in the results.
Prior studies by Mandler, Wittrock & Carter, and Bousfield also demonstrated that memory recall improves when material is well-organized. Notably, participants from Condition 2 (the random word list) with the highest scores often listed their recalled words within self-imposed categories, aligning with Bousfield's (1953) findings. Mandler's research revealed that the most effective learners were those who actively categorized words themselves.
Mandler (1967) and Wittrock & Carter (1975) further suggested that recall is enhanced when participants are tasked with categorizing words independently. This suggests a potential avenue for future research, conducting experiments with three conditions: Condition 1 - participants memorize experimenter-imposed categorized lists; Condition 2 - participants memorize random lists; and Condition 3 - participants receive random lists but are asked to categorize the words independently before memorization.
It's worth noting that the Repeated Measures design was dismissed in this experiment due to concerns about participants already having learned the word lists in a different format. However, future investigations could employ the Repeated Measures design, as demonstrated in Mandler's (1967) research, where participants had multiple opportunities to study word lists. Such studies would require a larger pool of words to maintain validity.
This experiment explored the impact of word organization on memory recall using an Independent Measures design. Participants recalled more words from organized lists, supporting the hypothesis. The findings align with previous research by Mandler, Wittrock & Carter, and Bousfield, emphasizing the significance of organization in memory enhancement. Future studies may delve deeper into participants' self-imposed categorization and revisit the Repeated Measures design, contributing to our understanding of memory processes.
A Report on Memory Recall Experiment. (2020, Jun 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/independent-measures-design-4776-new-essay
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