Patrick Dolan asks: > >The story goes that a priest (most priests?) had/has/have a >hard time recalling a baptismal prayer despite having >read/said the prayer many many times, which leads into a >discussion of rote rehearsal, etc. etc. > >Anybody ever hear something similar? Have a source? >
You might be remembering the article republished in Neisser's (1982) Memory Observed collection. The full reference follows: Sanford, E. C. (1982). Professor Sanford's morning prayer. In U. Neisser (Ed.), Memory observed: Remembering in natural contexts (pp.176-177). San Francisco: Freeman. After "at least 5,000" readings of the "Morning Prayer provided by the Episcopal Church" over a period of 25 years, Sanford reports to Titchener (the letter is reproduced in Neisser's book) that he is unable to recite the prayer from memory. The multiple readings are from a printed version and Sanford reports that he reads the prayers "with a minimum of attention -- almost automatically." Neisser notes that this is a great example of the failure of rote repetition to create enduring memories. Sanford's letter is also reproduced in the updated version of Neisser's book: Sanford, E. C. (1982). Professor Sanford's morning prayer. In U. Neisser and I. E. Hyman, Jr. (Eds.), Memory observed: Remembering in natural contexts (2nd ed) (pp.137-138). NY: Worth. Claudia Stanny (storming out of lurking mode) ________________________________________________________ Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Department of Psychology Phone: (850) 474 - 3163 University of West Florida FAX: (850) 857 - 6060 Pensacola, FL 32514 - 5751 Web: http://www.uwf.edu/psych/stanny.html --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
