This is a Lexicon entry: the mechanism, when it shows up, and the countermeasure. The full correction, with real-world cases and the audit prompt, hasn't been written yet.
Definition
The overarching finding that the position of an item in a list affects how well it is remembered - items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) are recalled best.
When it shows up
Memorizing lists, remembering speakers at an event, reviewing candidates after interviews.
Failure mode
First and last items are remembered; middle items vanish. Order of presentation becomes a major determinant of what is recalled, independent of content quality.
Countermeasure
If you're presenting, structure key content at start and end. If you're evaluating, actively recall the middle. The effect is mechanical and does not respect importance.
Related traps
Also connected in the map5 more, locked
Credit & first seen
DiscoveredMurdock, B.B. (1962).The serial position effect of free recall.Journal of Experimental Psychology 64(5), 482-488 source ↗
Also revealed
Entry #130 of 631 in The Lexicon · see the full Lexicon