Katrina #13: Memory Palace
I remember when I went to a summer camp a long time ago, my camp counselor gave us a long list of tribe names for us to try to remember. Only a few people were able to remember. After most of us failed miserably, the camp counselor taught us a trick on how to remember it easily: the Method of Loci.
The Method of Loci, or what more people commonly refer to as the memory palace, is the technique where a person stores information to later recall in a spatial environment they visualize. However, this technique is only limited to simple information, like password digits or items on a grocery list; concepts like “math equations or the meanings of foreign language vocabulary words” are less applicable to this technique (Wallington). While the method is limited, it still can be useful in some areas, so how exactly do we build a memory palace?
To begin with, visualize an environment that you are very familiar with such as your home, a local park, or even school. With a place in mind, think about the different places in this location like the rooms in a house. Imagine a path where you can logically move between the places, meaning if the location you chose is your home, an example could be you enter through the front door and then walk into different rooms. The number of locations should match with the number of things you intend to memorize; for instance, if you want to memorize the first 10 digits of pi, then you would imagine 10 rooms. Now to the most important step of linking the data you want to memorize and the places of your location, you need to “to ascribe an action or event to their relationship that’s funny, bizarre, or otherwise surprising” (Wallington). If your trying to remember those 10 digits of pi, a scenario could be when you walk through the front door of your house, you are greeted with three huge balloons, then when you turn right to face your coat rack, a huge boulder (symbolizing the point in pi) has crushed it, and then so on. The more distinctive and bizarre the connections, the easier it would be to remember them.
Once you do this with each of the things you intend to memorize, take the time to revisit this mental location and you’ll be able to secure these pieces of information in your brain.
The Method of Loci, or what more people commonly refer to as the memory palace, is the technique where a person stores information to later recall in a spatial environment they visualize. However, this technique is only limited to simple information, like password digits or items on a grocery list; concepts like “math equations or the meanings of foreign language vocabulary words” are less applicable to this technique (Wallington). While the method is limited, it still can be useful in some areas, so how exactly do we build a memory palace?
To begin with, visualize an environment that you are very familiar with such as your home, a local park, or even school. With a place in mind, think about the different places in this location like the rooms in a house. Imagine a path where you can logically move between the places, meaning if the location you chose is your home, an example could be you enter through the front door and then walk into different rooms. The number of locations should match with the number of things you intend to memorize; for instance, if you want to memorize the first 10 digits of pi, then you would imagine 10 rooms. Now to the most important step of linking the data you want to memorize and the places of your location, you need to “to ascribe an action or event to their relationship that’s funny, bizarre, or otherwise surprising” (Wallington). If your trying to remember those 10 digits of pi, a scenario could be when you walk through the front door of your house, you are greeted with three huge balloons, then when you turn right to face your coat rack, a huge boulder (symbolizing the point in pi) has crushed it, and then so on. The more distinctive and bizarre the connections, the easier it would be to remember them.
Once you do this with each of the things you intend to memorize, take the time to revisit this mental location and you’ll be able to secure these pieces of information in your brain.
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| https://youtu.be/p9IOqd1LpkA |
Hey Katrina, this Method of Loci is one I have stumbled upon and heard about many times. I remember last year, my French teacher told us about a method of memorizing the numerous vocabulary words she assigned. She told us to go through our kitchen and store every vocabulary word in each drawer or cabinet. I tried the method myself, but soon gave up upon realizing I need to remember like thirty words. However, upon reading your additional suggestions of insane scenarios implemented into such "memory palaces," this method might just come in handy. The next time I need to cram thirty French words into my brain, I will be sure to use this method.
ReplyDeleteHey Katrina! I had not ever actually heard the term “method of loci” before. Just like the technique itself the name itself seems like it’d be something that would stick in my mind. Knowing about this technique I am extremely piqued and this shows how interesting the human mind can be in its intricacies. We can literally trick our mind into remembering things by using our predisposition to remembering bizarre things, and that is an interesting thing indeed. Maybe I can use this to finally remember my schedule of things I am meant to be doing.
ReplyDeleteHi Katrina, interestingly enough, upon reading your post, I do not feel as if the Method of Loci would be that effective for me. Although I have never heard of it or tried it before, I find that especially with numbers, it is easier for me to just memorize them and establish some sort of mathematical pattern between them. This method sounds like it would be harder to remember the exact details, especially because you have to craft an entire story in your head and associate it with whatever you are trying to remember. I will try it though, and if it works better than how I normally memorize things I will be sure to use it more in the future.
ReplyDeleteKatrina, what an interesting blog post to read. This method of memorization, the Method of Loci, is something I have definitely done, subconsciously, in the past. As I was reading your blog post, I was trying to think of when I have used the Method of Loci to memorize things and something came to my head. I got my drivers license last year and many of my friends have said that my sense of direction and where places are located is really good. The way I remember where places are located is by the surroundings. The East Bay is a huge area with many various destinations making it hard to remember where places are but the way I remember where places are is by accosting them to an event that occurred in that area. The Method of Loci is definitely an interesting memorizing technique and I definitely want to use it more in my life.
ReplyDeleteHey Katrina! I have to admit, the Method of Loci is quite foreign to me, but seems quite interesting to learn about nonetheless. While I’m not too sure about this method’s practicality when trying to memorize longer sequences, this method is intriguing nonetheless. I’m sure this method would be ideal for trying to memorize ID numbers, passwords, or number plates, which are shorter and perhaps also more optimal to memorize with this method. I can’t wait to try this method out and see if it's efficient for me. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard of this method of memorizing, I will say, my memory although not exactly as such, is quite similar. I remember in scenarios and music and imagery. Thing Sherlock Holmes’ Mind Palace but less organized and more convoluted. I find I remember a lot of things through other things. For someone who has repressed a lot of my life, I have a surprisingly good memory for the rest of it. I can remember minuscule details and I’ve gotten quite good at memorizing license plates in the few seconds I get before they wiz past. I would like to organize my memory more. I like this idea of creating specific rooms and “houses” per se for organization, if only I had the time to be more intentional about my mind.
ReplyDeleteHi Katrina! I have never heard of the Method of Loci before, but it seems like an interesting way to memorize things. A time that I can recall when I desperately had to remember something is for weekly spelling tests in freshman year. At first, I struggled very hard trying to memorize all the words. I would spell the word in my head over and over again and then practice it non-stop. However, I later found an easier method in which I associate parts of the world with images that share a similar meaning. I would also find a way to associate the spelling of a word with its meaning. This method of association was what helped me the most in terms of better memorization. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteHi Katrina, I liked learning about the method of loci in your blog today. I feel like I might be able to use this memorization method in the near future. Your blog made me remember other studying strategies like instead of cramming, we should study in periodic movements per day before a test. The method of loci also has some cool concepts unlike others with the imaginary palace. Although it seems kind of weird, it does work wonders for those who use it. Some background information about the method of loci is that it can be used to remember an extensive amount of information in a short amount of time. Overall, a very interesting topic for your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Katrina! I've never heard of the Method of Loci, so it was really interesting to read about. It seems like an interesting way to memorize information, and I think that the idea of creating different "rooms" to store information could be useful for remembering certain information. Whenever I study, for a test I like to use acronyms and associate images or similar words with concepts to retain them. While I don't know if this method would work with lots of information, or to cram information the day before a test, it is really cool and may actually work for people. Thanks for sharing this topic!
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