Phonological similarity and trace degradation in the serial recall task: when CAT helps RAT, but not MAN

Abstract

[Abstract]: Phonological similarity is observed to detrimentally affect serial recall when correct-in-position scoring is used. Two experiments investigated the role of item and position accuracy scoring of rhyming, similar non-rhyming, and dissimilar lists under immediate recall conditions; articulatory suppression; or a filled delay. In general, rhyme lists produced the best item recall but position accuracy was highest for dissimilar. The results are due to a category cuing effect improving item recall for rhyme lists in conjunction with a detrimental effect of phonological similarity on position accuracy.