Process similarity and the simultaneous acquisition retention phenomenon

When two or more lists are learned simultaneously, long-term recall is higher than when lists are learned singly. This phenomenon is called SARP. In the present study, SARP was examined as a function of process similarity. Three lists of 10 items each were learned simultaneously. When these three lists were of the same type (all serial lists, all paired associate lists, or all free recall lists), process similarity was said to be high, whereas when three different list types were learned simultaneously, process similarity was said to be low. Original learning was carried to a criterion of 8 of 10 correct responses on a given trial, with recall taken after 24 h. All three list types produced SARP, but its magnitude was independent of process similarity.