Mnemonics - what is it? Essence, exercises for the development of memory

Why, having a good memory, is it difficult for us to remember numbers, phone numbers, and especially dates? This is fixable. Mnemonics will help, which will be discussed in our article.

Mnemonics - what is it?

First, let's talk a little about mnemonics. From Greek means "the art of memorization." This is a set of methodologies and rules that are aimed at improving the memory. They help organize the information coming to the brain by creating associative pictures.

The memorization of numbers and complex words occurs by turning them into some colorful images, thanks to this, information is firmly entrenched in our minds. Mnemonics, this is nothing more than the implementation of mnemonics in practice. This is a set of techniques that help to remember large amounts of information.

Everyone can master mnemonics at any age. To do this, you do not need to have superpowers and special knowledge. Everything will depend on how much time you are willing to devote to this.

Types of Mnemonics

Consider them:

1. People’s. Widespread mnemonics. This is not a specific system of memorization, these are some tricks that people use unconsciously. Indirectly, we were taught to use them in kindergarten and school. Of course, their effectiveness is low, has no scientific justification and a strict system.
2. Classical Used in ancient times to memorize long oratory speeches. The set of techniques in this area is small. The best example of classical mnemonics will be the Cicero method, which we will consider below and the Hanger.
3. Pedagogical. In contrast to the classical one, it does not use visual thinking as a basis , due to which it has become understandable and accessible to most people. The emphasis is on natural memorization through enhanced experience of the material being studied. This is nothing more than repeated reading of texts, in other words, cramming, taking notes, sketching book illustrations. The usual learning process. In the XVI century, this mnemonics defeated the classic. The methods of the first to date are used in the modern education system.
4. Circus, or as it is also called "pop" mnemonics. Uses the principles of classical. A distinctive feature in the special encoding of information, which is encrypted everywhere and in facial expressions and gestures, voice intonation. The main thing is not even the memorization itself, but the transfer of the code from the assistant to the performer in different ways. It turns out that only part of the means of mnemonics is used.
5. Athletic. This is a competition of mnemonists. Compete by two criteria: the speed of memorization and the amount of information remembered once.
6. Modern mnemonics. It is supported by the presence of a theoretical base. Existing techniques based on theory are being finalized and combined into a specific memorization system, which will be aimed at solving a particular problem. Suppose there are sets of exercises for learning a foreign language. A good example is the Giordano method, which allows you to remember clear, accurate information.

So, we briefly examined the types of mnemonics, let's start discussing the next question.

How does she act?

So, mnemonics - what is it? This is a memorization system. It’s hard for us to keep in our heads and reproduce numbers, numbers, word lists, and so on, rather than logical, associative, and other connections between these objects. It is on them that it is easier to find information in memory. And if there are no connected threads, they must be created. What most of the techniques of mnemonics are working on.

How long can these encrypted objects be stored in our head? How much is needed. The main thing is to periodically reproduce them.

Memory, like our body, requires constant training. The brain must constantly work. The more it is loaded, the more efficient its performance. Mnemonics is known from ancient times. The ancient Greeks noticed the direct relationship of memory with the senses. It was believed that the more emotions a person receives in the process of life, the more vividly he will remember him. Therefore, when performing exercises for memorization, it is necessary to connect flash-associations.

Associations are the foundation. Only by learning to recreate the right and strong images in your head can you move on. Illogical and strange associations contribute to better memorization.

How to create an association?

There are several rules:

1. The resulting image will help to remember the information.
2. The picture should be illogical, absurd and even meaningless. The more extraordinary a situation arises in your head, the more it will crash into consciousness. If you manage to create a mental image of the subject, this is the floor of success.
3. Mnemonics for beginners will seem simple if you learn how to recreate large, vibrant, with detailed drawing images. It is advisable to connect all your senses to this process.
4. Let the association be funny, the first thing that could come to mind.
5. Introduce yourself. For more effective memorization, power the association.

For example, it is necessary to remember two words: “camel” and “sandbox”. Imagine that you play in the sandbox, sculpt the cakes. And in the distance, near the swing, a camel stands, chewing a thorn. And then he sat down next to him, putting his huge legs to the sides to fit in a tiny sandbox. You look and think why the camel is here, I came to the sandbox to pick up my son. What did he forget here? Suddenly, the camel jumped and disappeared around the bend, and the child ran after the giant in pursuit.

Therefore, in order for our memory to store the received information for a long time, dry facts should be replaced with vivid pictures. There are a lot of techniques of mnemonics, we will talk in more detail about some below, and so, each has a number of characteristics:

• Innovation. The bottom line is that no matter what technique you choose and what complexity, the main thing is that the exercise is new, and, consequently, the benefit will be greater. The goal is to exit the comfort zone.
• Level of difficulty. It is necessary to choose such trainings over which you need to make an effort, to gain knowledge. For example, learn a new language.
• Interest, without which you can’t get far. And yet, it is necessary to take tasks with increasing levels of difficulty. It should be high, but not enough to reveal your inability.

The result can only be achieved through regular training. So, we briefly highlighted the question that this is mnemonics, talked a little about techniques, which we will return to later. Let's figure out how to learn mnemonics.

Tips for achieving results

It doesn’t matter whether it’s mnemonics for beginners, or if you have already mastered some basics, you need to know in order to develop a memorization system, you need to use it more often. It’s worth starting with simple tasks. If you need to learn how to memorize numbers, start with phone numbers, credit cards. Think up long series of numbers, for example, password for an account, and put protection, and train your memory.

If you want to memorize non-numerical information, you can use a book, but not fiction. Because, mnemonics - what is it? This is a set of methods and techniques that allow you to remember large amounts of information. And the novel, as you know, contains a plot with a logical sequence of related events. The presence of these bonds makes it easy to assimilate the material. Better it be physics, chemistry or geography.

And some more tips on mnemonics for beginners:

1. The choice of method. It is important to choose the most appropriate and appropriate system for your type of thinking and perception.
2. A selection of pictures and links. Some sources give unambiguous recommendations, for example, to present such and such objects, and what needs to be done with them. But, each person has an individuality and converts the information received into images, based on personal experience, using their associations. Therefore, do not stop and despair; the recommendations given can serve as starting points.
3. Reiteration. A good result can be achieved through numerous regular training. They must be carried out every day or at least three times a week. The gained experience needs to be consolidated, the skill should be brought up to automatism, so that at any time it can be easily used. Repeat different phrases. It is necessary to show the memory that the stored objects are relevant and important for you; take out from it material that was put there a long time ago.
4. Calm You need to exercise in complete silence. No, this can be done in the subway, but, most importantly, so that you can concentrate and abstract from the outside world. At the initial stage of mastering some method, do not let the uninvited emotions, anger, stress, and so on interfere with the process. Firstly, it will be difficult to understand whether it is suitable for you, and secondly, in the subsequent work, its use may be associated with these associations, which will interfere with the process of memorization.

Classes of mnemonics are fascinating, the main thing is to first decide on the purpose for which you need a developed memory: remember numbers (phone numbers, passwords), to learn a foreign language or jurisprudence.

When studying the methods of mnemonics for beginners, the main mistake is the illusion that after several trainings, many consider themselves to be professionals. At the right moment, the association does not work. This is all because there are few practical skills for remembering information for a long time. It seems that the connection between the images turned out to be correct, but it did not work. You need to practice a lot and hard, and the methods of mnemonics will obey you step by step.

And why, in general, do you need mnemonics?

First of all, mnemonics is self-education. We not only learn to remember large amounts of information, it improves the brain, it is, secondly, thereby improving our memory. And thirdly, the constant use of techniques will enable you to include in the work and use:

1. Attention. As you know, memory and attention are closely interconnected. Tracking the connections between pictures, replacing objects with images trains attention and improves concentration over the actions performed.
2. Creative thinking. Its development contributes to quick analysis and decision making.
3. Ability to visualize. The ability to draw images and associative pictures to them is a unique opportunity that helps you quickly memorize large amounts of information. And, in general, changes life for the better, you look at it with different eyes.
4. The imagination that mnemonics develops beautifully. You will notice how quickly you can find a solution, and your vision will be bright and non-standard, and it will seem difficult to others.

In general, mnemonics contributes to the fact that both hemispheres of the brain are included in the work, the left is responsible for logic, the right for imagination. Usually people use only one hemisphere, the left. Because they use a logical approach to solving the problem, and by connecting the right, the capabilities of the brain are used much wider, making the thinking process more efficient.

Consider the basic techniques

They can be practiced every day and for absolutely everyone:

1. The basic “Chain” method for memorizing a large number of objects. He is simple. Recommended for beginners in mnemonics. Let's say we need to remember the list of products for purchase. What we do is imagine a vivid image and glue it mentally with another object, the same motley, the same size. Then these images are connected in pairs. When the connection is formed, the first picture is removed from consciousness, by transferring attention to the second. After this, a connection arises between the second and third and so on. When the chain is remembered, several images pop up in the mind at once.

For example, you need to buy chicken, eggs and millet. Introducing the chicken that hatches eggs. Chicks hatch and start to peck millet. And so on, a whole tower of images is being built. So you can remember up to hundreds of items.

1. Reception "Matryoshka". Here the images are connected in pairs. The first picture of the association is always larger and contains the second. Here, as in a nesting doll, one picture is placed in another, while the small element seems to us large and is connected to part of a large object. When they are combined, attention is transferred to a smaller one, the other should disappear from consciousness. Then we mentally increase it and attach the third. Etc. Images are embedded in each other. In this case, only two images should clearly be drawn.
2. Reception of "Symbolization". It is used to memorize abstract concepts. Coding a certain image, you need to ask yourself the question of how it can be imagined. Suppose cold is associated with ice, summer with emerald grass, spring with a bouquet of tulips, and autumn with yellow maple leaves.

The difference between mnemonic techniques and cramming is that in the second case, information is remembered after reading and repeating several times. Here, memorization occurs immediately, and then, adhering to a certain algorithm, the received information must be repeated.

It is now clear that mnemonics for the development of memory is an effective method. Thanks to it, memory not only improves, but also increases the speed of reading, and information is absorbed faster.

What other mnemonics and ways to develop memory exist?

Let's talk about the Cicero method for remembering textual information. He was named after the great historical figure, philosopher, politician, excellent lawyer, excellent speaker, who at the end of his life became consul. He made a huge contribution to the development of European culture. He was declared an enemy of the state and executed, but his memory remained forever.

Mark Tullius Cicero had a unique memory, which he was famous for, he was an excellent speaker, and he spoke all his speeches without peeking at the sheet, reproducing dates, numbers and many facts and names. He just used the techniques of mnemonics, which was used in practice by the ancient Greek poet Simonides.

First, let's determine how the method works.

It has another name, “Roman Room”. The point is that the images are attached to the familiar atmosphere of the house, which arise in a certain sequence. Thanks to these associations, familiar interior items, to which numbers, dates and names were tied, were easily reproduced in memory. This method is popular in mnemonics for beginners.

Principle of operation

This method of mnemonics is very interesting. There are certain rules for remembering:

1. The interior of the room, study or the whole apartment is the matrix to which the associations of objects that you want to remember are attached. It is important to adhere to a certain sequence, for example, to move clockwise or on the right side, if you imagine the path from home to work.
2. Matrix fixation. It is necessary to walk mentally through the room several times in order to remember a clear arrangement of objects.
3. Binding information to certain matrix objects, for example, to the situation of a room or office.

Next, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of memorization.

Recommendations

There are some features that facilitate the process of memorizing by this method:

1. Images should be attached to objects that are well lit.
2. The real size of the object must be changed to the opposite, if the object is large, imagine it small and vice versa.
3. The bundle of a familiar subject with a new image should be bright and dynamic. You can use the action or just turn on an imaginary colorful coloring.

Here is an example of the Cicero method

As a starting point we will use the interior of the room: door, corner, window, mirror, sofa. Words to remember: angel, rat, fire, old man, ax.

The association will look as follows: I go up to the door and see an angel blinding with light. I open the door, and a huge rat runs to the corner. I glance at the window, and it was engulfed in flames by fire. Then I see a mirror from which the old man is looking at me. I go to the sofa, and start to beat him with an ax.

Popular mnemonics for the development of memory in adults and not only. Everyone can use it, it is effective and easy to use. The Roman Room will teach you how to easily remember information and reproduce it at any moment, no worse than the notorious speaker.

And in conclusion, I want to note that you need to approach everything correctly. There is a lot of literature with memorization methods, but various, sometimes incompatible, techniques are mixed in books. It turns out a certain fuss, in which no system can be traced. Another problem is the complete lack of theoretical justification for the methods used. Without theory, any practice would be ineffective. The terms "mnemonics" and "self-education" are identical, because, developing memory in different ways, we gain a lot of new knowledge. And you need to improve constantly.