LATENCY AND FREQUENCY OF S-R AND R-S ASSOCIATIONS AS A FUNCTION OF RECALL TIME

Forward (S-R) and backward (R-S) associations were compared, with controls to insure that rehearsal was directional. Eighty Ss were given six study and two recall trials on a list of five pairs of single-digit numbers. Recall varied factorially with respect to direction (S-R vs. R-S) and rate (1.5 vs. 3.5 sec). To insure thorough familiarity with the task, each S had a practice session consisting of three learning and two recall trials in the same direction and at the same rate as in subsequent recall. For correct responses, S-R Ss had higher frequencies and shorter latencies than R-S Ss. The data were interpreted as contrary to the principle of associative symmetry. © 1968 Academic Press Inc.