The Impact of Group Size on Memory and Memory Beliefs: A Methodological Report

Abstract

Two studies examined the impact of group size on interview results for older and younger adults. Both studies assessed memory performance over multiple trials, as well as memory beliefs. The second study also examined the relationship of state anxiety to group size, in the context of a motivational goals-feedback paradigm. Correlational data in both studies showed no relationship between group size and memory performance or memory beliefs. In the second study, larger groups were associated with greater arousal, and with reduced self-efficacy, for the older adult participants only. Although group size effects approached significance on several other measures, these results indicated that group size is not a critical factor in cognition, nor is it a confound when examining the outcomes of multi–trial list learning studies.

The authors express special thanks to Virginia Holloway, Allison Nebbergall, and Alissa Dark-Freudeman for assistance on this research. Some of these archival data were collected in conjunction with R03-AG14533, from the National Institute on Aging.

Notes

¹It should be noted that there is still some controversy about the interpretation of group effects. It is not our intention to test these competing interpretations. Rather, we emphasize the fact that all of the extant explanations for group effects would predict that larger groups would be more disruptive/facilitative (depending on the task) than smaller groups, especially for older adults.

Note. MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.

∗p < .05;

∗∗p < .005.

Note. MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.

∗p < .05;

∗∗p < .005.

Note. Baseline trial scores are based on the combined sample (n = 254). Final trial scores include only participants assigned to the control condition (n = 78). GME = General Memory Efficacy; MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.

²Other assessments were administered—e.g., a pilot version of a goal commitment scale—but are not relevant to this investigation, and are not included here. Additional details are available on request

Note. GME = General Memory Efficacy; MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.

∗p < .05;

∗∗p < .005.

Note. GME = General Memory Efficacy; MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.

∗p < .05.

Note. GME = General Memory Efficacy; MSEQ = Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire strength measure.