Three experiments demonstrated the uniqueness of memory for odors. Unlike visual and auditory memories, immediate recognition tests for 20 or more odorants produced numerous errors, but there was little further retention loss for periods up to 3 mo. Auxiliary results showed that neither verbal labeling nor odor familiarity aided memory, while long-term retention held up even when there were no instructions to memorize. Use of similar odors as test distractors impaired recognition significantly, but it remained well above chance after 3 mo. The hypothesis is suggested that odors are coded as unitary perceptual events with little attribute redundancy; this leads to poor immediate retention but great subsequent resistance to distortion of immediately retained odors.

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7 groups of college-age Ss attempted to recall whether the next to last symbol was the “same” or “different” from the viewed symbol in a running series of 42 symbols. 6 of the groups also predicted the recall outcome on successive trials. Expectancy did not influence retention, but a negative recency effect sensitive to symbol runs resulted from predictions. Results from memory errors contradicted the concept of a fixed running recall-span. Evidence was found for (a) recall generalization to the symbol before the next to last symbol and (b) good recall accuracy where the viewed symbol was separated from its last occurrence by at least three intervening symbols. Consideration of short-term memory from the standpoint of association formation is deemed inadequate.

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