We reduce events and lists to their key elements

Deep Dive

All Biases

Suffix Effect

Adding an item to the end of a list reduces recall of earlier items, especially in auditory memory.

Serial Position Effect

We remember items at the beginning and end of a list better than those in the middle.

Part-List Cueing Effect

Being shown some items from a list as cues can impair recall of the remaining items.

Recency Effect

We remember the most recently presented items in a list best.

Primacy Effect

We remember the first items presented in a list better than those in the middle.

Memory Inhibition

Some memories actively interfere with or suppress the retrieval of other memories.

Modality Effect

We remember the final items of a list better when presented auditorily versus visually.

Duration Neglect

We judge experiences based on their peak intensity and end, ignoring their duration.

List-Length Effect

The longer a list, the smaller the proportion of items we recall from it.

Serial Recall Effect

We remember items in a sequence better when they are recalled in the order they were presented.

Misinformation Effect

Our memory of an event becomes less accurate when we are exposed to misleading information after the event.

Leveling and Sharpening

When retelling events, we simplify (level) some details while emphasizing (sharpening) others.

Peak-End Rule

We judge experiences based on how we felt at their most intense point and at the end, rather than the total experience.