Memory Techniques - your favorite?
Quote Reply Topic: Memory Techniques - your favorite?
As a long time memory enthusiast since my 'Learning & Memory' course as a PSYCH major in college; plus a big fan of Francis Yates, I like the 'Roman Room' method, cued recall, mnemonic devices, acronyms, and rhymes. What's your favorite memory technique?
I did create an acronym to help me with a certain part which was vexing me.
Yes. It's been my experience in college and other places (Navy Dive School) to use what works for you. You get the same results regardless of what memory methodology that suits your abilities. Rote memorization has never worked for me.
In college (PSYCH '84) what I learned in my 'Learning & Memory' course I utilized in Chemistry, since we had to memorize the periodic table. If it wasn't for rhymes, mnemonics, and mental imagery I would have failed on rote memorization alone.
Have you published any literature on this memory method? Thanx.
So a man comes up to me in New York City carrying a violin case and asks, "Do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
Nowadays, a man with a violin case is probably carrying a AK-47..................am I a pessimist.
no, more of a realist I think.
I don't know. How well do you play the passim?
But practice what? Acrostics? Method of Loci? Cued recall?
WBScott, do you have a favorite memory technique which you practice, practice, practice?? Thanx!
The realist says there's plenty of room for vodka!
And the initiate can't remember because he couldn't remember.
So wots yor fa-vor-ite memory method Adept? ?
If memory serves me, an opportunist drinks what's there.
heh, I'd still prefer the tommy gun.
Edited: I did rote memorization.
However, I do have a question about mind maps. Do you create a map in your mind or do you use familiar routes such as commutes to work, etc.?
Another question I have is, if you use your lodge as a map and travel to another lodge to help out with a degree, do you find yourself stuttering because your queues are not there? Yes, I realize the "furniture" of a lodge is the same, but the overall visual is not.
Yeah, but Adept2 said 'realist'. So I ad lib it.
A good book that addresses your question is: The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci by Jonathan D. Spence.
I don't overthink the process or have a name for the technique I use. I repeat the same thing over and over again in small pieces. When I get one piece right, I move on to the next and when I get enough small pieces together, I practice them as a whole. There are also some acronyms for certain parts of the ritual, but I really can not discuss what parts of the ritual with a "civilian". I hope you understand.
Also keep in mind that I have been a Mason for 15 years and have belonged to several lodges. Although not very long by some people's standards, but long enough to have heard certain pieces of ritual hundreds of times (or maybe it just seems like that many!).
I am also lucky enough to have one of the foremost ritualists in the state as a member of my primary lodge. I practice with him on a regular basis.
Putting all these things together, I am a certified ritual instructor for all the parts of all the officers for opening and closing a lodge. In addition to this, I also serve in other roles in the conferral of the degrees.
I don't overthink the process or have a name for the technique I use. I repeat the same thing over and over again in small pieces. When I get one piece right, I move on to the next and when I get enough small pieces together, I practice them as a whole.
Yes, excellent description. That method is called 'chunking' We were taught 'chunking' in my PSYCH course 'Learning & Memory' (1980). Chunking is a common memory method. Thanks.
There are also some acronyms for certain parts of the ritual, but I really can not discuss what parts of the ritual with a "civilian". I hope you understand.
I both understand and respect that a Mason cannot (and should not) discuss rituals with outsiders.
Acronyms are also another common and useful memory method.
Yes, learning vicariously (by observation) and repetition are memorizing through experience. That is termed: Building Up An 'Empirical Data Base'. A pedigological technique for learning. See Paoulo Frere'.
Extremely helpful. And thank you!