Enhancing Memory

Nobody enjoys the anxiety and embarrassment that come with memory failures, and it is natural to want a memory system that is robust and dependable. Having examined how memory works and why forgetting happens, it is now possible to look at concrete strategies for improving memory. Psychologists refer to these strategies collectively as mnemonics (pronounced 'ni-mo-nicks'). Some mnemonic techniques work by using vivid mental images, while others work by imposing deliberate organisation on the material being learned. Beyond these specific techniques, psychologists have also proposed a broader, more comprehensive set of principles for memory improvement, grounded dire …