Chapter 7. How Might You Improve Your Memory?

Intro

How Might You Improve Your Memory?
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Play this brief video introduction from one of your authors, Nathan DeWall.

Test Yourself

test_memory

Let’s say you are interviewing for your dream job. The day before your interview, you're given the names of the people you will meet. Click “Next” to see their names.

  • Christine
  • Craig
  • Tracey
  • Trish
  • Armend
  • Jordan
  • Romena

Remember that this is the job you have been hoping and dreaming to have an opportunity to get. Think of what it will mean to you to get your dream job. How will your life change? It is important that your interview goes well.

Question 7.1

Please select from this list the names of the people you will meet at your interview tomorrow:

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Hans Kim/Shutterstock

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Alberto Zornetta/Shutterstock

Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

g-stockstudio/Shutterstock

{true} setModel("q1", qqMC1)
{true} setModel("q2", qqMC2)
{true} setModel("q3", qqMC3)
{true} setModel("q4", qqMC4)
{true} setModel("q5", qqMC5)
{true} setModel("q6", qqMC6)
{true} setModel("q7", qqMC7)
{true} setModel("q8", qqMC8)
{true} setModel("q9", qqMC9)
{true} setModel("q10", qqMC10)
{true} setModel("q11", qqMC11)
{true} setModel("q12", qqMC12)
{true} setModel("q13", qqMC13)
{true} setModel("q14", qqMC14)
{true} setModel("q15", qqMC15)
{true} setModel("q16", qqMC16)
{true} setModel("total", 1-qqMC3 + 1-qqMC6 + 1-qqMC8 + 1-qqMC9 + 1-qqMC13 + 1-qqMC15 + 1-qqMC16)

Your Score

The correct names are:

  • Christine
  • Craig
  • Tracey
  • Trish
  • Armend
  • Jordan
  • Romena

You may not have been ready for this memory test. Nonetheless, you were able to correctly identify {model.total} name.

model.total == 1

You may not have been ready for this memory test. Nonetheless, you were able to correctly identify {model.total} names.

model.total > 1

You may not have been ready for this memory test. You were not able to correctly identify any names.

model.total == 0

George Miller (1956) proposed that we can store about seven bits of information (give or take two) in our memory. Even brief distractions make it difficult to retain what we just memorized, however. After you initially saw the names of your interviewers, did your mind wander? Did you check your phone or listen to music? These small distractions can reduce our ability to remember.

Build This Strength

build_memory

Would you like to improve your memory? We’ve seen that mnemonics—using vivid imagery and organizational devices—can help us encode information. Science writer Joshua Foer (2011) used mnemonics to help him improve his memory. The result? He won the U.S. Memory Championship.

Let’s give this memory strategy a try!

Imagine another job interview scenario, where you will meet a new set of people. To memorize their names, first think of a familiar place. It might be where you currently live, a work or school building, or the home where you grew up. Place each new item you are memorizing somewhere within that familiar place.

Ready?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

So, here you are again, interviewing for your dream job. The day before your interview, you're given the names of the people you will meet.

Associate these names with a vivid image, and visualize that image within your familiar place. For example, If one of your interviewers is named Christina, you might imagine Christina Aguilera singing and dancing at the front door of your childhood home.

Click “Next” when you’re ready to see the names.

  • Danielle
  • Lorie
  • Kathy
  • Chuck
  • Won
  • Betty
  • Sherjeel

Have a good mental picture of everyone?

Question 7.2

Please select from this list the names of the people you will meet at your interview tomorrow:

{true} setModel("q1", qqMC1)
{true} setModel("q2", qqMC2)
{true} setModel("q3", qqMC3)
{true} setModel("q4", qqMC4)
{true} setModel("q5", qqMC5)
{true} setModel("q6", qqMC6)
{true} setModel("q7", qqMC7)
{true} setModel("q8", qqMC8)
{true} setModel("q9", qqMC9)
{true} setModel("q10", qqMC10)
{true} setModel("q11", qqMC11)
{true} setModel("q12", qqMC12)
{true} setModel("q13", qqMC13)
{true} setModel("q14", qqMC14)
{true} setModel("q15", qqMC15)
{true} setModel("total2", 1-qqMC4 + 1-qqMC7 + 1-qqMC8 + 1-qqMC9 + 1-qqMC11 + 1-qqMC12 + 1-qqMC14)

The correct names are:

  • Danielle
  • Lorie
  • Kathy
  • Chuck
  • Won
  • Betty
  • Sherjeel

You were able to correctly identify {model.total2} name.

model.total2 == 1

You were able to correctly identify {model.total2} names.

model.total2 > 1

You were not able to correctly identify any names.

model.total2 == 0

On the first memory test, you correctly identified {model.total} name. Even if your score didn’t change that much, did you notice that the memory task was easier when you used mnemonics?

model.total == 1

On the first memory test, you correctly identified {model.total} names. Even if your score didn’t change that much, did you notice that the memory task was easier when you used mnemonics?

model.total > 1

On the first memory test you were not able to correctly identify any names. Even if your score didn’t change that much, did you notice that the memory task was easier when you used mnemonics?

model.total == 0

You’ve been learning about many other things you can do to improve your memory. Here’s a summary of some of the most important strategies:

Test yourself! Frequent self-tests not only help you check your understanding, they actually help you learn and remember better.

Avoid cramming. Instead, space your study sessions over an extended period of time.

Reduce environmental distractions. Wait to text your friends or update social media until after you study.

Get enough sleep. Grogginess and forgetfulness go hand in hand!

Foer, J. (2011).Moonwalking with Einstein: The art and science of remembering everything. New York: Penguin.

Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 63, 81-97.

QUIZ

Are you ready for the Quiz? Demonstrate and reinforce your understanding by answering the following questions.

Question

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Correct answers
1. c. seven
2. True
3. b. decrease environmental distractions.
4. d. mnemonics.
5. b. Regularly multi-tasking while studying