Serial Position Effect

People recall the start and end of a list better than the middle.

Why do the ends win?

Each end taps a different memory store, which is why the effect was classic evidence for the Modal Model’s two-store distinction.

• Primacy effect: better memory for early items (more time to rehearse into long-term memory)
• Recency effect: better memory for late items (still in short-term memory at recall)

A delay before recall wipes out recency (short-term fades) but leaves primacy intact (long-term sticks).