How to recognize and avoid the recency effect

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Organization > How to recognize and avoid the recency effect

November 21, 2023

Have you ever found yourself trying to remember something for an exam or presentation, only to recall the last piece of information you reviewed? This phenomenon is known as the recency effect. To better retain information, it’s important to be proactive in retaining, rehearsing, and committing data to memory. Learn about the recency effect, how it can impact you, and strategies to help mitigate its impact.

How to recognize and avoid the recency effect – Microsoft 365 (1)

What is the recency effect and how does it work?

The recency effect is a product of short-term memory, also known as active memory. Short-term memory enables us to hold a small amount of information for a brief period. Examples include remembering a person’s name after being introduced during an interview or recalling a phone number just given to you.

However, when attempting to commit information to long-term memory, it’s crucial to avoid solely relying on what you’ve just learned. For instance, when you’re studying, it’s easier to recall the information you reviewed most recently, whereas material reviewed an hour ago is more challenging to remember.

How to recognize and avoid the recency effect – Microsoft 365 (2)

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In addition to the recency effect there is also the primacy effect, which enhances memory for the first pieces of information encountered. Consequently, information sandwiched in the middle of a learning session is often the most challenging to recall. To combat this, when studying, allocate time to review the middle section to enhance your memory retention.

How does the recency effect impact your life?

The recency effect can also influence bias, leading individuals to favor information recently presented to them. This bias can impact decision-making in various aspects of life, including the following:

Hiring decisions: Managers may show greater interest in candidates who have recently graduated, even when other qualified candidates exist.
Project assignments: Employees who have recently completed successful projects may receive high-profile assignments more frequently.
Disciplinary action: Employees who have faced recent challenges or performance issues are more likely to face disciplinary action, potentially overlooking their overall contributions, due to the salience of their recent performance in the manager’s memory.
Performance reviews: Similar to disciplinary actions, managers may focus heavily on an employee’s recent achievements or challenges, potentially neglecting their performance or goals they achieved throughout the year.