The Next-in-line effect is a cognitive bias where individuals have a diminished ability to remember information presented immediately before their turn to perform or speak, such as when they are in line to give a presentation or speak in a meeting.
This phenomenon occurs because of the anxiety or anticipation related to being next-in-line, which disrupts the encoding of information into memory. The cognitive resources required to prepare one's own actions or words draw attention away from processing and storing the incoming information.
The Next-in-line Effect.
Brenner, M. (1973)
American Journal of Psychology
The Effects of Anticipatory Anxiety on Memory: The Next-in-Line Effect Revisited.
Wallace, W. P. & Baumeister, R. F. (2002)
Journal of Experimental Psychology