Definition
A device, such as a formula or rhyme, used as an aid in remembering.
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Introduction
Mnemonics are techniques used for remembering information that is otherwise
rather hard to recall. Mnemonics follow the basic principle of using as many
of the best functions of the human brain as possible to code information.
The human brain has evolved to code and interpret convoluted stimuli -
images, color, structure, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, spatial awareness,
emotion, and language – and use them to make sophisticated interpretations
of the environment. The human memory is made up of and exhibits all these
features. More often than not, however, information to be remembered is from
one source - normally words on a page. While language, words on a page,
manifests one of the most important facets of human evolution, it is only
one of the many skills and resources available to the human mind. Mnemonics
seek out to use all of these resources. By coding language and numbers in
clever, striking images that flow into other strong images, we can
accurately and reliably code both information and the structure of
information to be easily recalled later.
The Memory Myth
It is a common fear amongst people that their memories get worse with the
passage of time.
This, however, can be true only for those people who do not use their
memories effectively. Memory is like a muscle - the more it is used, the
better it gets. The more it is neglected, the worse it gets. During the time
when people are involved in gaining education they have to use their
memories intensively, just so to remember facts and pass exams. When their
education is complete and they leave full time education, they tend to cease
to use their memory as actively, and so it starts to get flaccid. This is a
normal phenomenon.
How Memory Works
Memory works by creating links between information, installing facts into
mental structures and frameworks. The more people are actively remembering,
the more facts and frameworks they hold; the more additional facts and ideas
will fit easily into long-term memory.
Why Memory Doesn't Work
Apart from the memory weakening because of lack of use, another reason for
memory getting apparently worse is that information from sources other than
text books tends not to be as clearly structured as it is in education. The
clear arrangement and organization of a lesson or training course provides a
structure that is almost a mnemonic in its own way. When information starts
to drift in as solitary facts, it is normally forgotten simply because it is
not actively fitted into a mnemonic.
Most people, as they people grow up, are trained out of spontaneous,
imaginative behavior mostly because their jobs depend on them being
predictable and reliable, far more than on them being imaginative.
Imagination is n important feature of memory though, and allows people to
construct the strong mnemonic links between things to be remembered and the
cues for their recall.
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Therefore, memory in most people does get worse with age, but only because
it is allowed to. By continuing to learn throughout their life, by
cultivating their mind and keeping it open to new experiences, by actively
fitting facts into clear and flexible frameworks, and by keeping their
imagination working, their memory can get better and better as they get
older.
My Experiences
At times I have problem recalling information. For example names of people,
food and telephone numbers or pass codes. When first learning my social
security number I had a problem remembering the different digits. I recall
the times when filling out job applications, I realized that I had left my
social security card at home, on more than one occasion. I recognized the
importance of the number and used a mnemonic to learn and embed those nine
digits into my memory.
When I meet people who cannot recall there social security numbers a flash
back of images of the situations that I had been through come to my mind and
I always suggest and tell that person how important it is to remember their
social security number. I share my little secret of the mnemonic that I used
and help them out of their misery.
I am also very bad at recalling names of people. At times I have had to
suffer a lot of embarrassment due to my failing memory. To overcome this
problem, I again made up mnemonics to help me remember. There were several
techniques that I used to make up my original mnemonics. When trying to
remember names of professional contacts, I made up mnemonics that included
their names and the places they worked at. Sometimes, I added personal
opinions to spice them up and make them humorous. I made up mnemonics to
remember names of personal contacts by mixing their names with their
families and my relation to them. These work like a charm at business
meetings and family reunions.
Using Mnemonics to Learn More Effectively
When creating a mnemonic, I find the following advise very useful. It makes
the mnemonics more memorable.
• Use positive, pleasant images. The brain often blocks out unpleasant ones.
• Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image
• Use humor. Funny or peculiar things are easier to remember than normal
ones.
• Similarly rude or sexual rhymes are very difficult to forget.
• Symbols (e.g. red traffic lights, pointing fingers, etc.) can be used in
mnemonics.
• Vivid, colorful images are easier to remember than drab ones.
• Use all the senses to code information or dress up an image. Remember that
your mnemonic can contain sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movements and
feelings as well as pictures.
• Bringing three dimensions and movement to an image makes it more vivid.
Movement can be used either to maintain the flow of association, or can help
to remember actions.
• Locate similar mnemonics in different places with backgrounds of those
places. This will help to keep similar images distinct and unconfused.
The important thing to bear in mind that the mnemonic should clearly relate
to the thing being remembered, and that it should be vivid enough to be
clearly remembered whenever needed.
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