Psychologists have found that human memory involves three processes: encoding in

Question

Psychologists have found that human memory involves three processes: encoding information into memory, storing information in memory, and retrieving information from memory. Psychologists have also identified specific strategies to help people encode, store, and retrieve information. How can this research help you study for this class more efficiently? What strategies could help you encode and store information in your memory as you study? What strategies could help you retrieve this information when you take a test?

In a multi-paragraph essay, describe how you could use specific memory strategies to improve your study skills. Be sure to explain how each strategy will improve how you encode, store, or retrieve information in memory. Include details from class materials, readings, and research on memory to support your discussion.

Explanation / Answer

Sometimes even when you do not suffer from any disorders related to memory, retrieving information from the long-term memory can be quite a task. However, before information enters the long-term memory, it needs to be rehearsed well in the short-term memory for it to be able to transfer to the long-term memory and store it safely. There are umpteen strategies that could help in encoding and storing information for later use. The following are a few Mnemonics:

1. Memory Pegs: This method includes learning series of words that correspond with numbers from 1-10. Example: One-Bun, Two-Shoe, Three-Free and etecetra.

2. Method of Loci: As the name suggests, an individual needs to imagine a location in mind, or a familiar route. For instance, the blueprint of your house. If you need to go grocery shopping, and have prepared a mental list, you can associate the grocery items like chicken, onions, eggs, bananas to different parts of your house. You might imagine your backyard with chickens squealing, eggs splattered on your doors, banana peel on the street and onions which make you teary eyed. When you are at the store and cannot remember your list, you take a mental walk and recollect the items that were noted for purchase.

3. Stories you tell yourself: If you have a list of unrelated items and you need to drop into different stores to pick them up, you are most likely to not remember them. In order to make it easier for you to retrieve it from our memory, the best way is to tell yourself a related story which includes all the items that you need to buy from different stores.

4. Chunking: Sometimes it maybe next to impossible to remember numbers even for a shorter duration in our short-term memory. The best way to remember numbers is by chunking them into seven different units. A human mind is capable of storing information between four to seven units at one time. It is easier to remember if you break down larger chunks into smaller units. For example, this technique could be used in remembering phone numbers.

These strategies are not only helpful in encoding and storing but also in retrieving information when needed.

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