MNEMONICS AND METHODS TO IMPROVE MEMORY
Memory is the primary and fundamental power, without which there could be no other intellectual operation – Samuel Johnson.
Intro
1. The word mnemonic is derived from the Ancient Greek word mnēmonikos, meaning “of memory” and is related to Mnemosyne i.e. “remembrance”, the name of the goddess of memory in Greek mythology. Mnemonics in antiquity were most often considered in the context of what is today known as the Art of Memory. Acronyms like EFT MADRAS or MP DEWARST or remembering number of days in month using the knuckles must have brought some nostalgia among your thought process. These are just a few examples of practical manifestation of mnemonics in our day to day life. Research has proved that students who regularly used mnemonic devices inc test scores up to 77%.
Aim
2. To acquaint with the concept and appl of Mnemonics.
Seq
3. I shall be covering the topic in the sequence as flashed. In order to keep you all involved I shall be using the first form of addressing instead of conventional third form.
a. The concept.
b. Commonly used Mnemonics techs.
c. Limitations of Mnemonics.
d. Means to improve memory using Mnemonics tech.
The Concept
4. With the evolution of the sciences and learning techniques Mnemonics was further evolved and today it is known as the study and dev of sys for improving and asst the memory. A mnemonic, or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids info retention. Mnemonics aims to translate info into a form that the human brain can retain better and even the process of applying this conversion might already aid the tfr of info to long-term memory.
The Term Paper on Term Memory Words Info Remember
Cognitive Psychology Week 1 - Lecture 1 Cognition - matching the world to internal representations - language and word recognition - pattern recognition - visual imagery - memory we will focus on memory - problems - when cognitive processes go wrong brain damage dyslexia amnesia - viral infections, car accidents, severe alcoholism, old age (alzeihemers) - they don't lose knowledge of the world, ...
5. Fundamental Principles Underlying the Use of Mnemonics. The fundamental principles are imagination, association and location. These can be used to generate powerful mnemonic systems. These will be further explained when we will look at the Mnemonic techniques.
a. Imagination. It is what you use to create and strengthen the associations needed to create eff mnemonics. The more strongly you vis a sit, the more eff it will stick in the mind. The imagery used in mnemonics can be as violent, vivid, or sensual as you like, as long as it helps to remember.
b. Association. This is the method by which you link a thing to be remembered to a way of remembering it. You can create associations by placing things on top of each other, merging images together, wrapping/ rotating them around each other or linking using the same color, smell, shape, or feeling.
c. Loc. This gives a coherent context into which you can place info so that it hangs together, and separates one mnemonic from another. You can build the atmosphere of these places into your mnemonics to strengthen the feeling of location.
Commonly Used Mnemonics Techs
6. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often for lists and in auditory form, such as short poems, acronyms, or memorable phrases, but mnemonics can also be for other types of info and in visual forms. Their use is based on the obsn that the human mind more easily remembers spatial, pers, surprising, phy, humorous, or otherwise ‘relatable’ info, rather than more abstract or impersonal forms of info.
a. Music Mnemonics. Music can be used to help recall imp details to main ideas and many have made songs out of info when a list of items must be learned. Advertising on radio and TV uses music to help potential customers remember their products when shopping. My two yrs old neice would repeat the song of a famous cereal whenever she would see that in a general store. Music Mnemonics work best with long lists. For example, some children learn the ABC’s by singing the “ABC” song.
The Review on Effect of Mnemonic Technique on Serial Recall
The aim of the present study was to observe the effectiveness of mnemonic technique on serial recall. Pegword rhyme is the independent variable and number of correct response is the dependent variable. The Hypotheses were that the serial recall will be better in the group using pegword technique than in the group who do not. There will also be a significant difference in List A and B in terms of ...
b. Name Mnemonics. In a Name Mnemonic, the 1st letter of each word in a list of items is used to make a name of a person or thing. Sometimes, the items can be rearranged to form a more recollectable name mnemonic. Examples: EFT MADRAS for principles of def.
1. Expression or Word Mnemonic. This is by far the most popularly used mnemonic. To make an Expression or Word mnemonic, the first letter of each item in a list is arranged to form a phrase or word. Examples:
Boyles’ Law: At constant temperature, pressure is inversely proportional to volume.
Boyle’s law is best of all because it presses gasses awfully small.
The order of operations for math is Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, and Subtract = Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.
2. Model Mnemonics. In a Model Mnemonic, some type of representation is constructed to help with understanding and recalling important info. For example the various components of def can be remembered by using a dig or model.
3. Ode or Rhyme Mnemonics. An Ode or Rhyme Mnemonic puts info in the form of a poem. Examples include: A commonly used Rhyme Mnemonic for the number of days in each month is:
30 days hath September, April, June, and November.
All the rest have 31
Except February my dear son.
It has 28 and that is fine
But in Leap Year it has 29.
Remember this one? In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
4. Note Organization Mnemonics. The way textbook and lecture notes are organized can inhibit learning and recall or promote it. In the sense that the organization of notes can promote recall, it is a memory device. Three examples of organizing note formats that promote recall are as follows:
Notecards
Outlines
Cornell System
5. Image Mnemonics. The info in an Image Mnemonic is constructed in the form of a picture that promotes recall of info when you need it. The sillier the Image Mnemonic is, the easier it is to recall the related info. These images may be mental or sketched into text and lecture notes. Don’t worry about your artistic ability. As long as you know what your sketch means, Image Mnemonics will help you learn and remember. Examples:
The Essay on Neurological Memory Info Codes Process
The Human Memory The reason people exist is because of two important things: memory and language, which have been vital in the evolution of humanity. (Our ancestors needed language to explain how to light a fire to keep them warm and a memory to remember how to do it). So we have a memory because if we did not we would never have evolved far enough for you to ask this question in this place. So ...
You can use an Image Mnemonic to remember BAT (the depressant drugs mentioned above – Barbiturates, Alcohol, and Tranquilizers).
Visualize or sketch in your notes a limp, depressed bat that took Barbiturates, Alcohol, and Tranquilizers.
6. Connection Mnemonics. In this type of mnemonic, the info to be remembered is connected to something already known. Examples include: Remembering the direction of longitude and latitude is easier to do when you realize that lines on a globe that run North and South are long and that coincides with LONGitude. Another Connection Mnemonic points out that there is an N in LONGitude and an N in North. Latitude lines must run east to west, then because there is no N in latitude.
7. Spelling Mnemonics. Method of remembering spellings like : A principal at a school is your pal, and a principle you believe or follow is a rule.
A Spelling Mnemonic combined with an Image Mnemonic may be used to spell the word sep rate using an exaggerated “a.”
Limitations of Mnemonics
Take a long time
How to deal with abstract info?
Need creative ability
Confuse info if use same device
Does not help understanding of material
Doesn’t help memory in general
Need to practice mnemonics to get better at using them
Ways to Improve Memory
The following info from http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/memory-systems.html focuses on specific memory techniques as well as what you can do to maintain the health of your brain. The key to a healthy brain and improved memory is to do these consistently.
• Memorization Techniques: Mnemonics are techniques for remembering info that is otherwise quite difficult to recall: A simple example is the ‘30 days hath September’ rhyme for remembering the number of days in each calendar month. The idea behind using mnemonics is to encode difficult-to-remember info in a way that is much easier to remember.
The Essay on Anand Amide Receptors Memory Brain
Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs throughout the world. The psychoactive constituent of cannabis, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), produces a myriad of pharmacological effects in animals and humans. Marijuana has been in use for over 4, 000 years as a therapeutic and as a recreational drug. It can have both stimulant and sedative properties. In usual intoxicating doses, it ...
• Practice study skills for more efficient learning.
See: http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/best-study-skills.html
• Weave memory improvement exercises into your daily routine.
• Eat brain foods to improve brain health.
• Take vitamins and supplements to improve brain health: especially B vitamins, antioxidants, and Omega 3 fatty acids. http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/vitamins-for-memory.html
• Play brain games to strengthen brain skills. Brainteasers and games can be found online as well as in print. http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/brain-games.html
• Perform cardio exercise for healthy brain cells
• Get sufficient restful sleep to consolidate memories
• Engage in mindfulness meditation to improve concentration
Exercise and Memory
Regular aerobic exercise can improve your memory. Your brain needs oxygen and other nutrients in order to function well. When your oxygen is low, it affects your ability to concentrate, which in turn makes it more difficult to learn new info or recall info you studied in the past.
It can sometimes be difficult to get enough exercise when you have a lot of classes, or when you’re working part-time/full-time jobs or caring for children in addition to school. Exercise helps supply oxygen to the brain, so even walking 15 minutes a day will help you focus better. You might also think about taking a PE class during the day.
