Direct Evidence Delay with A Task Decreases Working Memory Content in Free Recall

Abstract

Recently it was shown that free recall consists of two stages: the first few recalls empty the working memory and a second stage concludes the recall (Tarnow, 2015; for a review of the theoretical prediction see Murdock, 1974). It is commonly believed that a delay with a task before the recall starts removes the content of working memory (Glanzer & Cunitz, 1966). Here is presented the first direct evidence that this is indeed the case.