Connected neurons create our memories.

Many strategies can make simpler kinds of information more memorable. First, maintenance rehearsal is the direct recycling of information in order to keep it active in working memory. We perform maintenance rehearsal to keep a telephone number active in our mind until we dial the number. Likewise, we use maintenance rehearsal to keep a street address active in working memory until we can drive to our location. While maintenance rehearsal is effective, the benefits seldom last long.The capacity of our working memory is limited to about seven pieces or chunks of information. Researchers have shown that ordinary people can learn chunking strategies to improve the capacity of their working memory. In other words, people can improve their working memory by breaking information into larger and larger units of meaning. This is one of the reasons that people normally recite their phone number and social security number in three segments thereby improving their memory processing.

Classify your way to a greater working memory

Researchers have also shown that people can increase their working memory function by using classification strategies to increase the size of their memory chunks. People who use such strategies automatically have demonstrated improved working memory performance. Automatic processes require fewer mental processes than non-automated ones. Automatic processes allow us to use more of our memory. Automatic processes also allow people to carry out complex tasks and different tasks simultaneously. Examples of automatic processes are placing of fingers by expert typists and piano players. The good news is that you can automate thinking skills with deliberate practice. This means that if you want to improve your working memory and other skills mentioned in this blog, you must practice the strategies until they become second nature.

This post was synthesized from Cognitive Cognitive Psychology and Instruction (Bruning et al., 2004). File cabinet from Freeimages. Neurons from Pixabay.