Abstract
The effects of labeling and retention materials on a 7-position serial recall task of mentally retarded individuals was examined. The Ss were 40 retardates with a mean MA of 5 years and 5 months and 40 normals with a mean CA of 5 years and 9 months. Retention materials were lists of digits (1 to 7, I series) or familiar objects (II series). Subjects of labeling group were required to say the names of the digits or the familiar objects to be remembered. The results were as follows. (1) No significant total recall differences between the retarded and the normal were apparent for no-labeling group. (2) In the normal, primacy effect and recency effect were recognized in both series. In the retardates, however, while recency effect was recognized in both series, primacy effect was recognized in the familiar objects, but not in the digits. (3) Moreover, the effects of retention materials was recognized only in primacy position. (4) Labeling did not influence the recall performance.
