Serial position effect

The serial position effect highlights how the position of items in a sequence impacts recall accuracy. It consists of two main parts:

• Primacy effect: Items at the beginning of a list are remembered better.
• Recency effect: Items at the end of a list are also recalled more accurately.

For instance, in restaurant menus, popular dishes are often placed at the top and bottom, leveraging the serial position effect to influence diners’ choices. For interfaces, this means that presenting lengthy lists strains attention and memory.

To optimize information presentation:

• Prioritize important info: Place crucial details at the beginning or end of sequences, such as calls to action or product essentials.
• Use visual cues: Employ colors, contrast, or highlighting to draw attention to key elements.
• Minimize cognitive load: Reduce the amount of information users need to remember by displaying only the most relevant content.
• Position key actions: Place essential buttons or features on the far left or right for easier recall.