Primacy effect
The primacy effect is a cognitive bias that results in a person recalling the first items in a series more strongly than the subsequent items. This effect is a part of the broader concept known as the 'serial position effect,' which examines how the position of an item in a list affects how well it is remembered.
How it works
The primacy effect occurs because items presented at the beginning of a list or sequence have a greater opportunity to be processed and transferred into long-term memory. Initial items receive more cognitive resources such as attention and rehearsal, leading to better retention compared to items that appear later.
Examples
- In a job interview with multiple candidates, the first candidate may remain more memorable to the interviewer compared to later ones.
- When reading a list of groceries, an individual might recall the first few items easily but struggle with remembering the rest.
- During a speech, listeners tend to remember the opening remarks more effectively than the details that follow.
Consequences
The primacy effect can lead to skewed perceptions or decisions because initial information is given more weight. This can impact memory recall, decision-making, and judgment, leading to potential biases in situations like hiring processes, marketing strategies, and education.
Counteracting
To counteract the primacy effect, one can use strategies such as distributed practice, ensuring equal focus on all items in a sequence, or using mnemonic devices. For presentations or lists, structuring information in a way that emphasizes the importance of later items can also help mitigate the effect.
Critiques
Critics of the primacy effect argue that it oversimplifies complex cognitive processes, suggesting that memory recall is influenced by numerous factors including context, emotions, and individual differences in cognitive abilities.
Also known as
Relevant Research
The serial position effect of free recall
Murdock, B. B. Jr. (1962)
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 64, 482-488
Two storage mechanisms in free recall
Glanzer, M., & Cunitz, A. R. (1966)
Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 5(4), 351-360
Case Studies
Real-world examples showing how Primacy effect manifests in practice
Context
A mid-size fintech startup needed to hire a senior backend engineer quickly to meet an upcoming product deadline. The hiring team scheduled five back-to-back interviews over a single afternoon to speed the process and intended to compare candidates afterward.
Situation
The first candidate was punctual, well-dressed, and opened with a concise story of a past achievement that matched the job description. The interview panel felt energized and agreed the candidate 'set the tone' for the rest of the sessions, then continued through four more technically strong candidates in the same afternoon.
The Bias in Action
Panel members found themselves repeatedly referencing the first candidate’s early examples when rating technical fit and cultural alignment, even when later candidates provided equally strong or more relevant evidence. Notes taken during later interviews were shorter and recorded fewer concrete details, partly because panelists felt they had already established a benchmark. During the debrief, comments about later candidates were framed relative to the first interviewee rather than on independent criteria—early attributes became the anchor for final scores. This focus on the initial impression overshadowed measurable differences in skill assessments that appeared later in the interviews.
Outcome
The hiring team extended an offer to the first candidate within two days based on aggregated interview scores and a strong gut feeling from the panel. Two months into the role, gaps in the new hire’s experience with distributed systems became apparent; the team realized a later candidate had more direct production experience relevant to the critical project. The company spent an extra four weeks and roughly 120 developer-hours to refactor portions of the architecture that the hire struggled to optimize.