2.4- Encoding Memories

Mnemonic Device

Memory aids that help organize information for encoding (HOMES)

Method of Loci

A mnemonic technique that involves associating items on a list with a sequence of familiar physical locations

Chunking

Organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

Spacing Effect

The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

Memory Consolidation

The gradual, physical process of converting new long-term memories to stable, enduring memory codes

Massed Practice

Cramming

Distributed Practice

Spacing the study of material to be remembered by including breaks between study periods

Serial Position Effect

Our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list

Primacy Effect

Tendency to remember words at the beginning of a list especially well

Recency Effect

Tendency to remember words at the end of a list especially well