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Principles of Learning and Memory: Memory Principles

That will boost your brain power!

Regular review and practice are necessary for learning, but these elements alone do not result in real learning. The human brain is a powerful tool that learns information by making connections with previously learned knowledge.  Regular review and practice are tools that we use to ensure that new information is mastered and is readily available when we need to use it. The following are descriptions of various memory principles that you can use to make connections between new information and previously learned information. 

Multisensory Effect

The more senses you use to learn (visual, auditory, hands-on) the greater your brainpower. Not only will you remember information better when you have learned it with multiple senses, but it will be easier to retrieve when you need it on an exam, in class, or in daily life. So, when you can, practice what you are learning by saying, seeing and doing something. 

Recency and Primacy Effects

We remember information better if it is at the beginning or at the end of an event or situation.  For example, when you are reading a paragraph you will recall the beginning and end better than the middle.  Therefore it is the middle information that we often have to pay the most attention to because it is the hardest to remember. This also reinforces that we should be studying for brief periods of time rather than one long time period, so that lots of beginning and endings are created.

Power of Association

The brain is an associative tool; it remembers information best when ideas are related to each other, or when new learning is linked with old learning. So when learning something new, ask yourself, "How does this information relate to what I already know?" 

Humor and Absurdity

We recall information that is strange, unique, absurd or just plain funny.  So adding humor to what you are learning by drawing goofy pictures, making strange associations, or creating bizarre acronyms will all capitalize on the fact that the brain will recall information that is outrageous or out of place.

Similarity Effect

It is easier to remember information that is similar, so grouping information into categories is a good way to maximize your brainpower.  This is called "chunking". For example, try memorizing the following list of words:

mixer
pencil crayon
Ferrari
blender
Ford
stapler
Chrysler
sharpener
toaster

Now, try it again when the information is chunked or divided into similar groups or categories

For most people, it is easier to learn the list when the words are grouped together.

Learn from General to Specific

For most people, it is easier to learn from general to specific, or whole to part, than from specific to general.  This means that you should first understand the main idea or general concept and then the details.  Take advantage of this by previewing chapters before reading, taking note of class objectives and topics, and reviewing previous notes prior to class to refresh your recall of what you have already covered.