Exceptional memory

what are mnemonic devices?

techniques that improve memory by organising, elaborating or visualising information

what three principles support mnemonic techniques?

• organisation

• elaboration

• mental imagery

how does organisation improve memory?

structured information and links to existing knowledge aid retention

what is elaboration?

adding information and connecting material to prior knowledge

how does mental imagery support memory?

creating mental pictures, especially interactive or bizarre ones

what is the method of loci?

placing mental images along familiar locations and mentally revisiting them

what is the peg word method?

linking information to a memorised set of familiar word or image pegs

what is the link method?

connecting items through a chain of images or a story

wat is a limitation of the link method?

forgetting one link can make it difficult to recall later items

what are memory athletes?

people who use trained mnemonic strategies to perform exceptional memory tasks