Human’s memory is often compared to a “computer’s information-processing system” (Myers 272). People’s memory stores certain facts in certain places, and whenever it is needed some facts are retrieved. However, sometimes it is difficult to find the necessary information in one’s “computer”. Fortunately, various researchers have conducted numerous experiments and surveys which enable to work out effective strategies to improve one’s memory.
One of the major principles of memory is that the process memorizing is divided into three stages encoding, storage and retrieval (Myers 272). One of the most effective ways to memorize some information is based on the research concerning working memory (Myers 273).
Thus, if a person needs to memorize some information, he/she should repeatedly retrieve the necessary data. For instance, if a student needs to memorize the most important facts of a chapter, he/she should read the chapter several times. It can be a good idea to read it twice a day for a week, and then go back to it within larger intervals, e.g. twice a week, once a week, three times per month, twice a month.
Another effective technique is based on the fact that there are two types of processing information: automatic and effortful (Myers 274). People process such information like where they meet friends or have dinner automatically, but to process some information written in a text book or in an annual report requires certain efforts.
One of the major reasons why people process information automatically because the actions associated with the information can be repeated in character and/or the new information evokes a lot of associations in the brain (having dinner: eating, visiting restaurant which is basically similar to others, but has some peculiarities (novice facts), socializing with friends, various emotions).
Thus, associations are very helpful for processing some information. If a student needs to memorize some facts, he/she should work out certain associations. One of interesting ways to find associations is putting questions like: “Where did it come from or originate? What caused it?” (Atkinson 171). Interestingly, Socrates and Plato used this method (Atkinson 171). Thus, a person creates clues which will help to find the necessary information when needed.
One more tool to memorize some information is based on such phenomenon as iconic memory (Myers 279). Admittedly, people always have an image for every word or fact they are processing. Furthermore, Sperling’s research which proves that people have photographic memory can help work out some strategy to memorize the necessary information (Myers 279).
For instance, if a student needs to process (and/or memorize) a chapter form a textbook, he/she can try to “photograph pages”, i.e. memorize where exactly this or that fact occurs. What pictures, tables, diagrams are there on that page? Eventually, a student will have an image of the most important passages of the chapter.
It goes without saying, that it will be more effective if an individual uses several methods simultaneously. For example, “picturing” the necessary messages will be more effective, if the student also creates certain associations, i.e. makes links between the new data and the old facts.
On a final note, it is possible to state that the understanding of the major principles of memory (such as three stages of processing information, automatic or effortful processing, photographic memory) enable people to work out effective methods of improving their memory.
Works Cited
Atkinson, William Walter. Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2007.
Myers, David G. Exploring Psychology in Modules, 8th Edition. New York: Worth Publishers, 2011.