ENDURING MEMORY-INFLUENCED BIASES IN GYMNASTIC JUDGING

An experiment is reported that examined the duration of prior processi ng effects in gymnastic judging. Gymnastic judges first encountered a series of gymnastic elements during a study phase. Perceptual and reco gnition tests then followed 1 of 3 delay conditions: immediate, 1 day, or 1 week. For perceptual judgments, gymnastic elements that were per formed the same at study and test resulted in the highest level of acc uracy. Elements seen for the first time were less accurate, and the lo west level of accuracy occurred for those that had changed in performa nce from study to test. This descending pattern of accuracy occurred f or ail 3 delay conditions, indicating that effects of prior processing were long lasting.