As you know, there are several ways by which we absorb and later analyze the information coming from the outside world. Most average people are aware of only two types of memory: short-term and long-term. But this is far from all possible divisions. There are also types of memory based on associations and logic. This is called indirect memory, the essence of which is to draw parallels between already acquired knowledge and new information and through this it is better to remember the necessary facts.
What is the point?
Indirect memory is a mechanism for storing information through analysis, rethinking and comparison of memorized material. Of course, each person at least once unconsciously used this technique, not particularly delving into what he is doing, but nevertheless, for a better understanding, it is necessary to know the specifics of how mediated memory works. And for this you need to understand the basics, namely the most important types of memory.
First among equals or short-term and long-term memory
An example is a situation very familiar to many. The first time a person is trying to learn something. He looks into the book, reads the material necessary for memorization, and, having closed the book, immediately, without hesitation, reproduces everything almost perfectly. But ask him what he read after only a few minutes - and you will hardly get a concrete and complete answer. This is how short-term memory works. As a rule, it is extremely short-lived. Information is stored for no more than twenty-five seconds. Further, it either goes into long-term memory with the help of analysis, repetition, analysis. Or it disappears from memory with almost no trace. It all depends on the person’s further relationship to the information received.
It is easy to guess that mediated memory has a long-term nature. But there is its opposite.
Two sides of the same coin or indirect and immediate memory
When they talk about excellent students and wise men who only do that they endlessly reread and memorize textbooks and scientific books, they involuntarily use a condescending tone. And there is a fair share of this. A person's ability to remember proves only his perseverance and willpower, but not the presence of impressive mental abilities. And memorizing, without delving into the meaning of the text, is pointless and, in truth, quite easy. This information will not be able to gain a foothold in memory for a long time and will hardly help at least someone to become smarter. However, this way of remembering has a right to exist. It is called immediate memory. As you might guess, this method is often used by schoolchildren and students of various educational institutions. He also trains the memory well in general, but has many shortcomings. The fragility of information is perhaps the most basic of them. Indirect and direct memory differ in how much effort a person put into mastering the information he needed and what was the coefficient of his usefulness, or rather, how long and how well he will remember the information received.
So what to choose?
Indirect memory is the best option if a person needs to remember information for a really long period. In itself, it requires certain efforts, as well as the use of certain psychological techniques. And not on a casual passerby, but on himself. However, no matter how difficult and terrible this method may seem, this is just an appearance. And in any case, the result will be worth it. For example, if a person needs to learn another foreign language. Or if he wants to remember information that is directly related to his future profession. In this case, long-term and indirect memory will come in handy. But if you need to remember the information just for a few days or even hours, then immediate memory will come in handy.
Trust but Verify in action
Diagnosis of mediated memory is very popular among well-off families in which they care about the child's performance. Often children at different ages are referred to doctors specializing in psychology to check if they are able to remember information to the same extent as their peers. If the child fails the test, he is advised to consult a specialist or undergo certain rehabilitation courses. With an average level of development of mediated memory in a child, a psychologist can simply advise parents to force their offspring to learn, say, poetry or take part in developmental games. There is nothing irreparable.
How exactly is the memory checked?
Everything is very simple. Only a piece of paper and a pen are required. Before starting the test, the psychologist in a calm and friendly tone explains what is required of the child. Then, making sure that the “experimental” understood everything, the doctor begins the diagnosis. First, he calls a word or sentence, and after that he waits exactly twenty seconds. During this time, the child should depict or write on paper something that will help him later remember what was discussed. At the end of twenty seconds, the psychologist speaks the second word or sentence, and so ten times.
After that, the child is required to repeat everything that he can remember, looking at his notes or drawings. If he repeated the word correctly, he is given one point. This takes into account phrases that are reproduced not exactly, as was originally said, but approximately. The main thing is that the meaning of the saying does not change. That's just for such inaccuracies in the final calculation is removed half a point.
results
The maximum child can get ten points per test. This means that he without hesitation reproduced all the words or sentences that were dictated to him, and that his mediated memory is extremely well developed. Eight and nine points indicate that parents have nothing to worry about, and the child is likely to do well in school. Four to seven points is the average level. Such a child may well succeed in life, but he should not associate his future profession with activities in which he will constantly need to remember something. And with three, two, one or zero points, it is already necessary to seriously engage in the mental abilities of the child. No worries! Maybe it's all about the scattered attention or unwillingness of the child to follow the rules. In this case, you just need to change the methods of education, and the help of doctors is not required.
The diagnostic technique of mediated memory has proven to be very effective lately. It would seem that its simplicity should have scared people away, but, on the contrary, more and more of them are testing themselves and their loved ones using this technique.
Conclusion
Indirect memory is something without which people could not live and develop. Even think! Therefore, it is so important to understand how it works. Through this, we can come closer to understanding the functioning of the human brain. In the end, the mind is a mystery that mankind has sought to solve since its inception. After all, in fact, without being aware of ourselves and the world around us, we would become the most ordinary animals.