Mnemonic imagery and forgetting

Abstract

A group in which Ss learned a 25-word list of high-imagery words with a mnemonic imagery technique (method of loci) was compared to a control group who basically learned the list by grouping the words. All Ss were required to learn the words in a given order. Learning times, along with three types of recall measures involving ordering of words and a recognition memory measure, were taken after 1 and 5 weeks. The results showed that learning was faster and recall better with fewer order errors in the imagery condition. The recognition memory measure showed very high scores in both groups, with no significant differences between them. The results were interpreted as showing that at least part of the effectiveness of mnemonic imagery devices comes about by making items more accessible during recall. © 1971, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.