Psychology Essay: Memory.

How will you use the material on memory to improve your grades? If you are already getting top grades, what in there did you see that you are already doing? (Discuss at least three things.)

While writing can be rich and sophisticated, it can be difficult for the brain to remember information when it is presented in this way. There are various mnemonic techniques - a.k.a., memory and learning aids - to mentally store information by creating an easy-to-remember pattern of letters, numbers, ideas, or associations among things. Relating information to pictures, sounds, smells, tastes, or tactile sensations is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this; this is called sensory memory.

Visual Memory - One idea of retaining information is by using vivid mental images. As the brain typically blocks out unpleasant images, specifically ones that may be linked to a personally painful memory [this is called motivated forgetting, in which your brain blocks out memories that are too painful to retrieve], it is best to keep your mental imagery positive and peaceful. Some people find that using mental images in which are scenarios out-of-the-ordinary [i.e., exaggerating the size of objects; making scenarios funny and peculiar; etc.] works well. Your mnemonics can also contain sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movement and feelings as well as pictures, so imagine these scenarios as vividly, colorful, and sense-laden as you can; this is much easier for your mind to remember than drab imagery.

To Improve Grades:

One effective use of this that we discussed in my Psychology class, was picturing a room in your house - your bedroom, for example - and incorporating things you need to remember, in ridiculous ways, into the mental image of your bedroom. For instance, if you have a test coming up in school, this could be one effective way to store key points into your brain.

Iconic Memory - This refers to remembering something one has just seen; it is short-term, usually only lasting from a few seconds to a minute. To effectively commit something you have just seen to long-term memory, focusing on a limited range of stimuli is best, as the capacity for sensory memory is very small. Even though people can remember an almost infinite number of ideas, facts, lists, sounds, smells, events and much more, the mind does not remember everything; therefore, the image must be processed further to become a permanent memory, or it will rapidly disappear. Much like in any other type of memory, exposure to the stimulus, conscious observation, relevance to the person, etc., plays a major part in memory retrieval.

To Improve Grades:

One effective way in aiding your iconic memory, especially for scholastic efforts, is the use of flashcards; writing down the material on cards aids your memory in and of itself, let alone repeatedly seeing the information.

Echoic Memory - This term refers to the 'echo' that remains in your head - an actual presence of sounds in your brain - after the original sound has ended, which only lasts for 2-3 seconds. A major factor in remembering a sound for longer than that is focused attention. Repetition also works your brain into organizing and integrating it into a long term memory. Rhyme is another great memory aid; there are several reasons why educators, authors, and song writers who target young children use rhyme so much. Personally, I have trouble remembering names, so I try to use this technique when I am introduced to someone; for instance, you meet someone named Mary Jane. You could think of: Very Vain; Cherry Cane; Faerie Plain; etc.

To Improve Grades:

The best way to turn what you are reading into a permanent memory is to read aloud to yourself; not only are you making excellent use of your echoic memory, but you are also making muscular impressions by the use of the vocal organs, which makes the lesson better recorded in your mind.