How do humans remember phone numbers when dialing?

[Math Is Hard]

when you are dialing..

By the number order?
By the pattern on the keypad?
Both?
Neither?

For me I think it is mostly pattern, and a fairly automatic process, but I do hear the numbers in my head when I am dialing.

 

[Evo]

when you are dialing..

By the number order?
By the pattern on the keypad?
Both?
Neither?

For me I think it is mostly pattern, and a fairly automatic process, but I do hear the numbers in my head when I am dialing.

Hmmm, I just remember the numbers.

 

[larkspur]

I don't remember the numbers...in fact if I have the number right in front of me I still dial it incorrectly(unless I concentrate really hard)...
On the occasion that I do remember the number, it is by remembering it in some sing-song rhythmical way.

 

[Math Is Hard]

I think I probably also use the tones as a guide - to alert me to errors.

 

[z-component]

I don't use the tones. I use the numbers more than the pattern, but the pattern helps a lot.

 

[rhuthwaite]

I find patterns with in the numbers (if they are really hard to learn straight) otherwise I can generally hear or say the number twice and remember it

 

[Math Is Hard]

thanks for the responses. hmm.. no votes for pattern yet.

 

[Astronuc]

Hmmm, I just remember the numbers.

Me too. I have a list of frequently called contacts in my head. Some of it I remember by location - state or country - and I remember the area codes or country/city codes. I just remember the people I call and their phone numbers. Unfortunately the list is getting bigger.

 

[Math Is Hard]

now, remember I am talking about when you are dialing the number.
I pick up the phone and basically just punch a pattern on the keypad. But the numbers do enter my thoughts as I punch.

 

[mattmns]

I just press contacts and choose the person's name, I have no clue what anyone's number is. I chose neither, because I just don't memorize numbers. However, the two numbers I do have memorized I know by the number, not the pattern (I think).

 

[Cyrus]

I can press a button and say:

Me: "Call MIH"

Phone:"did you say call TOM?"

Me: No.

Phone: "did you say, call Bill?"

Me: No.

Phone: "Im sorry please say a new command"



Stupid phone...I would throw it against a wall except its a Razor.

 

[Math Is Hard]

I can press a button and say:

Me: "Call MIH"

Phone:"did you say call TOM?"

Me: No.

Phone: "did you say, call Bill?"

Me: No.

Phone: "Im sorry please say a new command"



Stupid phone...I would throw it against a wall except its a Razor.

ah. Now I know why the prank calls have stopped.

 

[Moonbear]

For the most part, I don't remember phone numbers. I'm lost without my phone book. But, for the few numbers I do remember, it's just through repetition...the ones I call often enough that they eventually stick in my memory.

 

[Moonbear]

I can press a button and say:

Me: "Call MIH"

Phone:"did you say call TOM?"

Me: No.

Phone: "did you say, call Bill?"

Me: No.

Phone: "Im sorry please say a new command"



Stupid phone...I would throw it against a wall except its a Razor.

Well, that answers that question. I was just talking to someone about those Razor phones the other day, and they were telling me about the voice recognition feature thingy. I asked what accent you need to have for it to understand you since those voice-recognition menus never understand me when I call any company with those. I think I prefer the trainable version.

 

[NoTime]

I can press a button and say:

Me: "Call MIH"

Phone:"did you say call TOM?"

Me: No.

Phone: "did you say, call Bill?"

Me: No.

Phone: "Im sorry please say a new command"



Stupid phone...I would throw it against a wall except its a Razor.

I get more accurate resonses from those voice activated systems if I grunt or bang the phone on the table.
Worse thing is that a lot them don't give don't give any option out.

The only thing I use a pattern for is the pin number on the bank card.
I was lost the time I hit a machine with a different keyboard layout.

 

[JasonRox]

Well, that answers that question. I was just talking to someone about those Razor phones the other day, and they were telling me about the voice recognition feature thingy. I asked what accent you need to have for it to understand you since those voice-recognition menus never understand me when I call any company with those. I think I prefer the trainable version.

I have an old cellphone from like year 2000, and the voice recognition worked fine. I don't see how it can get worse.

 

[Mattara]

I just search the phone book or memorize numbers with 2 or 3 digts in each section

 

[Chi Meson]

It used to be all "pattern" form me (for those numbers I dialed a lot). Nowadays, thanks to "speed dial" , the whole thing is a moot point: I don't remember numbers at all.

Another factor, computers. Why are the number pads for telephones and computer keyboards inverted? I have put in the wrong phone # many times in the computer because of "pattern."

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I'm good with numbers so that works if I need to think about it, but for most I automatically dial the pattern.

 

[hypatia]

Eh gads...I'm the only number by patterns person ..so far.

 

[BobG]

If I write down a phone number, I can remember it - which is a good thing since I tend to walk off and forget to take my post-it note with me.

I did tend to remember the pattern for the old style cipher locks. Our support section was separated from the operations center, so you'd wind up having to use the ciper locks at least a dozen times a day. If I had to tell someone the combination, I had to figure out which numbers went with which fingers.