Memory
Kathleen High
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Memory as a Jungle
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One entrance =
A small meadow
Millions of animals pass through
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Memory Analogy:
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Jungle = Long Term Memory
Meadow = Short Term Memory
Animals = everything you have ever
experienced through your senses.
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Short-term Memory
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Example: Remember phone number long
enough to dial.
Limited capacity
Disappears quickly
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Long Term Memory
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Example: Your phone number
Allows you to recall information from day
to day, week to week.
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Two Rules About:
Short-Term & Long Term
Memory
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Each thought animal must go through the
meadow to get into the jungle.
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Once the animal enters the jungle, it never
leaves
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Four Visualizations:
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A well-worn path
A herd of thoughts
Turning your back
You are directing the traffic
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#1: A Well-Worn Path
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Thoughts can wear paths to memory
(neural traces).
The more well worn the path, the easier it
is to find.
The more often you recall information, the
easier it is to retrieve.
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#2: A Heard of Thoughts
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Thoughts are easier to retrieve if grouped
together.
Easier to recall if associated with similar
items.
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Example
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Psychology & Sociology
Communication
Economics
English & Foreign Languages
Geography & Anthropology
History
Kinesiology
Music
Philosophy
Political Science
Theatre
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Group These Departments By:
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Location
Type of Discipline
Alphabetical
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Grouped by:
Location
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Building 1:
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Building 5:
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Communication
Economics
Philosophy
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Building 94:
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History
Political Science
Building 43:
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Kinesiology & Health Promotion
Behavioral Sciences
Geography &
Anthropology
Building 24:
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English
Music
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Grouped by:
Type of Discipline
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Social Sciences
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Psychology &
Sociology
Communication
Economics
Geography &
Anthropology
Kinesiology
History
Political Science
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Humanities:
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English
Philosophy
Performing Arts:
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Music
Theatre
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Grouped by:
Alphabetical
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Communication
Economics
English & Foreign
Languages
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Music
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology & Sociology
Theatre
Geography &
Anthropology
History
Kinesiology
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#3 Turning Your Back
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Let the animal go into the jungle, and turn
your back on it.
Wait 10 seconds -
It is gone!!!!
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Recall: 50% of what we just read
20% 24 hours later
(80% is forgotten!)
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Solution?
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Review quickly
Do not take your eyes off the animal
Wear a path from meadow to jungle
immediately
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#4: You are Directing the
Traffic
• You are at the entrance
• You are directing the herds of animals
• You are taking an active role in the
process
• You are paying attention
• You take control of your memory
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Your turn to teach!
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20 Memory Techniques
Set a trap for your memory
Remembering Names
Mnemonic Devices
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