Von Restorff effect
Also known as Isolation effect
Memory effect
The tendency to remember the one item that stands out from a group of similar items. Something that differs in color, size, shape, or type is noticed and recalled better than the rest.
In everyday life
On a page of notes all written in black, the one line highlighted in yellow is the line a student remembers.
After interviewing ten job candidates who all wore dark suits, the panel can only describe the one who showed up in a bright green jacket.
Why your mind does this
Unusual, funny, emotional, or personal things often signal something that matters, such as a threat, an opportunity, or information about ourselves. Giving them extra attention and a stronger place in memory helps us learn fast from rare or important events.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Stands out
How to spot it
Notice when the item you recall from a list or lineup is simply the one that looked different from the others.
What you can do
Use it on purpose: make the one key point in a document or slide visually different, and keep everything else plain.
Same family: Stands out
Sourcesvon Restorff (1933)·Wikipedia