Memory Improvement

Memory Improvement

1. Verbal mnemonics

   • Acronym
     • Where a word or sentence is formed from the initial letters of other words
     • E.g. LOL is 'Laugh out loud'
   • Acrostic
     • Poem or sentence where the first letter in each line forms a word to remember
     • E.g. Richard of york gave battle in vain
   • Rhymes
     • Groups of words with an identity and rhythm
     • E.g The days in a month rhyme
   • Chunking
     • Involves dividing a long string of information into memorable chunks
     • E.g. chunking a telephone

2. Visual imagery mnemonics

   • Method of loci
     • Associate information with physical places in the order that they are to be recalled
   • Keyword method
     • Associating two pieces of information
     • Atkinson and Raugh (1975)
     • E.g. A french word with the equivalent english word
   • Mind maps

3. Evaluation

   • Mnemonics
     • Verbal
       • Gruneberg (1973)
       • Effective with children with disabilities
       • Effectiveness not evident after 12months
     • Visual imagery
       • O'Hara et al (2007)
     • Limitations