The measurement of “adopted chunks” in free recall learning

Ss were given one learning trial on each of three lists presented in counterbalanced order. One of the lists contained items of the first order of approximation to English; another contained third order items; and the third consisted of text order items. After each trial Ss recalled as many items or parts of items as they could. The number of whole items remembered was a direct function of approximation to English. When “adopted chunks” were measured, there were no differences among lists in the number of chunks remembered. Between seven and eight chunks of information were recalled at all orders of approximation.