Von Restorff Effect

The Von Restorff Effect, also known as the isolation effect, refers to the idea that an item that stands out from a group is more likely to be remembered. When something is noticeably different—such as a bold color in a list of standard items—it captures our attention more effectively. This heightened focus makes it more memorable than the other similar items. For example, a red apple among green ones is more likely to be recalled than all the apples in the same color. The effect highlights how distinctiveness enhances memory retention.