EncodingHow we encode:

Automatic processing – Is effortless, occurs without our awareness, without interfering with our thinking of other things, and is difficult to turn off.

Effortful processing – We remember some types of information only with effort and attention.

For example, next-in-line effect, spacing effect, and serial position effect.

Remembering becomes easier with rehearsal or practice.Repetition reinforces memory (Ebbinghaus).The amount remembered depends on the time spent learning.Overlearning increases retention.

*Tip: Stop studying 1-hour before falling asleep.

Encoding

We encode 3 ways: (meaning, imagery, organization)1. Meaning – Visual, acoustic, and semantic

We do not remember things exactly as they were.We only remember what we have encoded.

For example, how many Fs are in the following sentence:

Finished files are the results of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.

Answer: 6 (typically miss “of”)Initially it is an acoustic task, not visual.

Encoding2. Imagery – Mental pictures.

Mnemonics – Memory aides, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.

Keyword Method – A keyword is a word that sounds like the new word and is easily pictured.

The image is created of the keyword and the new word actually interacting together.It should help you remember the definition or meaning of the new word.Try to make it universal to all people.Do not write explanations or have a series of scenes.Do not just recreate the word in a picture.

For example, Margaret Floy Washburn.

Encoding2. Imagery (cont.)

Method of loci (memory place, mental walk) – Remember lists of words by walking a familiar route and associating objects with specific land marks on the route.

For example, a grocery list.Put bread on your bed, eggs on your dresser, etc.The more dramatic the better.

Giant loaf of bread and broken eggs.

Peg words – Visually associate the peg word with items to be remembered.

1 – Bun 4 – Door 7 – Heaven2 – Shoe 5 – Hive 8 – Gate 10 – Hen3 – Tree6 – Sticks 9 – Swine

You should be able to remember the words and the order too.

Encoding3. Organization –

Chunking – Organizing items into familiar, manageable units; it is often done automatically.

For example, American phone numbers (867-5309).Bad example, Canadian postal codes (A1C5S7).

This would be more easily remembered if the letters and numbers were chunked (ACS 157).

Letter strategies – Acronyms – Using letter prompts to remember lists of things.

For example, Roy G. Biv, HOMES, SCUBA, and PEMDAS.Acrostics – A reconstructed acronym that represents words in a sentence.

For example, “Please excuse my dear aunt Sally”Hierarchies – Grouping words or concepts into categories which enable us to remember them better than when they are presented randomly.

For example, outlines, headings, previews, and reviews.

The End