Role Of Imagery In Mnemonics

•       Images are effective to the extent that they link information.
•       Images are not inherently superior to words and bizarre images are not necessary recalled better than common images.
•       Imagery is chiefly effective when used with an organizing structure.
•       Most mnemonic strategies are based on imagery.
•       There is no doubt that imagery can be an effective tool, but there is nothing particular special about imagery. The advantage of imagery is that it provides an easy way of connecting information that is not otherwise readily connected. However, providing verbal links can be equally effective.
•       The critical element is that words or images provide a context, which links the information. Thus, imagery is only effective when it is an interactive image – one that ties together one bit of information with another.
•       Visual imagery on its own is of limited value without an organizing structure, such as the method of loci or the peg word method.
•  It’s usually empathasized that bizarre images are remembered much better, but there is no evidence for this. In many studies indeed, ordinary images are remembered slightly well. One of the problems is that people usually fine it harder to create bizarre images. Unless you have a natural talent for thinking up bizarre images, its probably now worth bothering about.

Why Remembering To Do Things IS SO Difficult

Remembering intentions is in fact much more difficult than remembering events that have happened and the primary reason is the lack or retrieval cues. This is why, of all memory tasks, remembering to do things relies most heavily on external memory aids. Reminder notes, calendars dairies, watch-alarms, oven-timers, leaving objects in conspicuous places – all these external aids act as cues to memory.

In practical compensation for the lack of effective retrieval cues, planning memories are more easily triggered by minor cues. E even a small and seemingly insignificant thing can act as a remarkable cue. A friend of mine was reminded that her son’s friend would be spending Saturday night with then when she saw an advertisement for a movie about John F.Kennedy ( the child’s father had the same initials: JFK).  
I remembered that I had to give my green dress for dry cleaning when I saw a similar green colour in the display window of a store.

Remembering Intentions

Experts have categorized the remembering of intentions under ‘planning memory’. Planning memory is nothing but an exercise, which helps you recall your intentions i.e. what you need to do.

Planning memory contains your plans and goals (such as, “I must pick up the dry-cleaning today”, “I intend to finish this project within three months”). 
Forgetting an appointment or a promise is one of the memory problems people get most upset about.

Remembering intentions is more difficult than remembering past events. It’s the lack of cues to remembering that makes remembering intentions so difficult. That is why using physical objects to cue our remembering is so common. To remember intentions without relying on physical reminders, it’s best to concentrate on working out an event or time that will trigger your remembering.

Set your mind to remember the link between the trigger and the intention, not the intention alone.

Remembering Telephone Numbers

These can be remembered simply by associating numbers from Eg)., the Number/Rhyme system, or the journey system and by further association these with the face or name of the  person whose number is being remembered.

For Example, to remember that John’s phone number is 6587452, I can imagine myself travelling to his flat: with my destination firmly in mind, I envisage the following stops on my journey:

1.        Front Door: The door has hundreds of sticks (6) lying in front of it.
2.        Rose Bush: A small sapling (tree, 3) is growing its way through the middle of   the bush.
3.        Car: to build a hive (5) under the wheel of my car. I have to move it very carefully to avoid damaging it.
4.        End of Road: A tree (3) has fallen on the road. I have to drive around it.
5.        Past Garage: Someone has nailed a sign on the door (4) strange!
6.       Under Railway Bridge: The bees are building another hive (5) between the girders here.
7.    Past The Municipal Park: All the trees in the park have shoes (2) hanging from their branches.