Final answer:
The recency effect is caused by the last words heard being still in working memory at testing. This effect makes the recently heard words easier to remember compared to earlier words in a list.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recency effect refers to the tendency to remember information that was encountered most recently. The main cause of the recency effect is that the last words heard are still in working memory at the time of testing. Working memory refers to the temporary storage and manipulation of information that is readily available for cognitive processing.During a memory task, if a list of words is presented and then the participant is immediately asked to recall or recognize the words, the words that were heard last would still be fresh in the working memory. This makes them easier to retrieve and remember compared to the words presented earlier in the list.For example, if you were asked to remember a list of words like 'dog, cat, bird, tree, car,' the recency effect would cause you to have better memory for the last words heard ('tree' and 'car') compared to the earlier words ('dog,' 'cat,' and 'bird').