How can mnemonic devices like association and visualization help improve memory?

[Evo]

I just do not get all this complex and convoluted need to do all these associations.

Although memory has never been a problem for me, I did discover a neat ability a month ago that maybe some can use.

I was teasing my best friend that they needed to remind me of my shopping list when I went to the store. I gave them a list of items, thinking that if I was at the store I could call them to read me the list.

Knowing that they probably would not keep the list, I created a mental folder for them which I labeled *to do list*. I placed my shopping list into the folder. I also wanted to watch an upcoming tv show, so I placed the TV guide info into the folder.

A few days later, I wanted to place some more grocery items into the folder and when I opened it, there at the top was the TV guide information for the show that night that I had completely forgotten about. I had even forgotten I had put it into the folder.

I realized that for any memory (at least short term, I will have to experiment to see how long these memories last) I could just place them (without thinking or memorization) into a folder to be accessed at a later date.

You should try this, especially if your memory is visual. Just drop the mental image of whatever you need into a "folder" and then you can look at it any time you need it. The "folder" makes it easy to find the images quickly.

Please let me know if this works for you.

 

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

I just do not get all this complex and convoluted need to do all these associations.

Although memory has never been a problem for me, I did discover a neat ability a month ago that maybe some can use.

I was teasing my best friend that they needed to remind me of my shopping list when I went to the store. I gave them a list of items, thinking that if I was at the store I could call them to read me the list.

Knowing that they probably would not keep the list, I created a mental folder for them which I labeled *to do list*. I placed my shopping list into the folder. I also wanted to watch an upcoming tv show, so I placed the TV guide info into the folder.

A few days later, I wanted to place some more grocery items into the folder and when I opened it, there at the top was the TV guide information for the show that night that I had completely forgotten about. I had even forgotten I had put it into the folder.

I realized that for any memory (at least short term, I will have to experiment to see how long these memories last) I could just place them (without thinking or memorization) into a folder to be accessed at a later date.

You should try this, especially if your memory is visual. Just drop the mental image of whatever you need into a "folder" and then you can look at it any time you need it. The "folder" makes it easy to find the images quickly.

Please let me know if this works for you.

Ummm. Am I missing something here or did you just use a mental folder to associate your tv program with groceries. So when you thought of groceries, you thought of your tv program. I don't think its fair too call other's mnemonics 'convoluted', considering they are designed to memorize information a little more detailed than a tv show air time (lmao).

Put a 30 digit number in that groceries folder and the next time you are in the produce isle let's see if you can remember it.

 

[venger]

I just do not get all this complex and convoluted need to do all these associations.

Although memory has never been a problem for me, I did discover a neat ability a month ago that maybe some can use.

I was teasing my best friend that they needed to remind me of my shopping list when I went to the store. I gave them a list of items, thinking that if I was at the store I could call them to read me the list.

Knowing that they probably would not keep the list, I created a mental folder for them which I labeled *to do list*. I placed my shopping list into the folder. I also wanted to watch an upcoming tv show, so I placed the TV guide info into the folder.

A few days later, I wanted to place some more grocery items into the folder and when I opened it, there at the top was the TV guide information for the show that night that I had completely forgotten about. I had even forgotten I had put it into the folder.

I realized that for any memory (at least short term, I will have to experiment to see how long these memories last) I could just place them (without thinking or memorization) into a folder to be accessed at a later date.

You should try this, especially if your memory is visual. Just drop the mental image of whatever you need into a "folder" and then you can look at it any time you need it. The "folder" makes it easy to find the images quickly.

Please let me know if this works for you.

Its like saying there is a particular day that that you have to do something. For example monday i have to go to a baseball game. A day later I realize i need to drop off a movie monday and to my surprise i suddenly remembered i had a baseball game to go to.

 

[Juche]

I just do not get all this complex and convoluted need to do all these associations.

Although memory has never been a problem for me, I did discover a neat ability a month ago that maybe some can use.

I was teasing my best friend that they needed to remind me of my shopping list when I went to the store. I gave them a list of items, thinking that if I was at the store I could call them to read me the list.

Knowing that they probably would not keep the list, I created a mental folder for them which I labeled *to do list*. I placed my shopping list into the folder. I also wanted to watch an upcoming tv show, so I placed the TV guide info into the folder.

A few days later, I wanted to place some more grocery items into the folder and when I opened it, there at the top was the TV guide information for the show that night that I had completely forgotten about. I had even forgotten I had put it into the folder.

I realized that for any memory (at least short term, I will have to experiment to see how long these memories last) I could just place them (without thinking or memorization) into a folder to be accessed at a later date.

You should try this, especially if your memory is visual. Just drop the mental image of whatever you need into a "folder" and then you can look at it any time you need it. The "folder" makes it easy to find the images quickly.

Please let me know if this works for you.

What you're describing is a mix of association and visualization, both mnemonic devices. They are good too, I have used them.

For example, if given a list of 10 items to memorize

bear
horse
computer
car
CD
pancake
chair
comb
wallet
refrigerator


You create a story and visualize it to remember it. A bear attacks a horse, and a guy on a computer watches. he then gets in his car, puts in a CD, and drives to get pancakes. On the way out he knocks over a chair, dropping his comb and wallet. When he gets home and tries to empty his pockets near the refrigerator he realizes he has lost his comb & wallet.