Mnemonics Are \"Memory Tools\" or \"Memory Aides.\"

Mnemonics are "memory tools" or "memory aides." These tools supply one with techniques to recall information that may be difficult to recall by rote methods. Most people use mnemonic aides one way or another in their everyday affairs. Even simple planners, schedulers, and things like grocery lists are examples of memory aides; however, there are times when the use of such external memory aides is not practical such as remembering names of people one is being introduced to for the first time, information in everyday affairs at work, or with material in school. For such situations it is a good idea to have a collection of techniques to use. Some people will find that certain techniques work better for them than others, but when trying to encode and retain material for later recall it helps to get as many senses involved as possible in order to create multiple reference points in memory for material; keep the repertoire of techniques simple and basic based on multiple or dual coding theories (Mayer, 2002).

When using mnemonic strategies there are several rules to follow that can make them more effective: (1) positive images work better than negative associations; (2) rhymes or shocking aides work better when linking material because they allow for meaningful connections (acoustic methods); (3) using humor can help with encoding and recall; (4) chunking and downsizing works better than trying to recall a longer series of information (e.g., acronyms); (5) personally relevant aides work better than generalizations (linking method); and (6) using imagination, association, and location are import principles to use when designing these strategies as aides such as acronyms and aides that have meaning work better than those that do not (e.g., HOMES to recall the great lakes as opposed to ESOMH).

For example, if the first letter in each of the categories to be recalled must be in order one can learn technical material by using a combination of letter and acoustic strategies: Cool Tammy (any name personally relevant to the individual) Loves Sex Continuously can be used to recall the order of the spinal vertebrae (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal). This little mnemonic provides an example of using most of the principles discussed above except for rhyming.

Phone numbers are easiest to recall by chunking them. For example the number 5552478 can easier be recalled by remembering the two numbers 555 and 2478. Add a little reference like Mary's phone number was 555 times 2478 makes it easier to recall. Chunking information takes advantage of the limits of short-term memory capacity of being able only to store seven plus or minus two bits of information effectively (Miller, 1956).

When trying to remember information like names of new people, a task many of us of find difficult, it is useful to remember that failure to recall names is often a result of a lack of paying attention to the person's name and instead concentrating on other aspects of the introduction. Attention to information is crucial for successful recall according to theories of memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin, (1968). A strategy that often proves to be helpful in recalling information of this type is to use associations of names with easily remembered images relative to the person's name. For example, if introduced to Bill Watson you can immediately conjure up an image of Sherlock Homes waving a telephone bill under Watson's nose. In order to recall the names of groups of people a person can use the method of loci technique. Imaging people in familiar places, such as the rooms of you home as you walk through it allows a person to associate familiar and unfamiliar material thus increasing the chances of recall. Adding rhymes such as Jack and Ann are in the living room listening to what the TV said, Fred and Erica are in the dining room eating bread, Roger and Millie are in the kitchen with flour on their heads, etc. makes the process all the more easier and fun.