Mnemonics

Types of Mnemonic Devices: Overview

Mnemonic Devices are memory strategies that create associations that do not exist naturally in the content, but nevertheless make information more memorable and easily retrievable (Terry, 2006).

The word mnemonic is an adjective derived from the Greek words mnemon and mnastbia, meaning, respectively, “mindful” and “to remember” (Webster’s, 1980).

Mnemonics link knowledge to be learned to familiar information, and they have been proven effective in a variety of content. Scientific studies have demonstrated that rather than being something extraordinary, as they have sometimes been considered, mnemonic devices are simply techniques that may be used systematically by children and youth in their regular daily activities to make more effective use of their memories (Brehmer & Li, 2007).

Mnemonics can take several forms. We can use acronyms, for example, such as HOMES to remember the names of the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior) and phrases, such as “Every good boy does fine,” to remember the names of the notes in the treble clef (E, G, B, D, and F). When learners think of the mnemonic, they link it to the information it represents, which aids the recall of information.

Various mnemonics strategies involve a variety of techniques that may be used individually or in combination. For example, recall of a large quantity of information (e.g., a list of food items) may be simplified by reorganizing the information into a few conceptual categories, such as vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy products.

To recall sequentially ordered information that is not readily classified into categories, or where such classification may destroy the sequential ordering of the material, a prememorized mnemonic system may be employed. For example, in the peg word mnemonic method, an individual prelearns a number of words each of which rhymes with the ordinal numbers one, two …. Through a process of peg word mnemonic discussed here Opens in new window, sequentially ordered information may be memorized by associating it with these rhyming words.

Where a mnemonic strategy involves the addition of information, in this manner, to enhance recall, the process is referred to as one of elaboration Opens in new window.

Alternatively, some mnemonic techniques involve reduction rather than elaboration of the material to be memorized. For instance, the trigonometric functions involving the Sine, Cosine, and Tangent, and the Opposite, Adjacent, and Hypotenus sides of a triangle can be quite simply recalled by remembering the word SOH-CAH-TOA. SOH refers to the formula in which the Sine of a triangle equals the Opposite side over the Adjacent side. Many mnemonic strategies involve the use of visual imagery which according to evidence is associated with memory enhancement.

Mnemonics are used to help remember vocabulary, names, rules, lists, and other kinds of factual knowledge. Table underneath provides some variety of mnemonic devices according to common uses or characteristics; alternative terminology is shown in parentheses.

Through the use of mnemonic techniques some spectacular results in recall performance have been obtained (Bellezza, 1981). Bower and Clark (1969), for example, found 93 percent recall in a mnemonic group, compared to 13 percent in a control group.

Ericsson, Chase and Faloon (1980), worked with a college student of average intelligence and memory ability whose memory span after 230 hours of practice increased from 7 to 79 digits. His performance on memory tests of digits equaled that of memory experts with life-long training. The authors concluded that, with an appropriate mnemonic system, retrieval method and practice there is seemingly no limit to memory skills.