Method of Loci: Enhancing Long-Term Memory Strategy

The assignment content discusses the experiment conducted to compare the efficiency of memory loci and standard rehearsal methods in improving memory recall. The participants were divided into two groups: group A was treated with the memory loci method, where words were placed in a written format, while group B used the standard rehearsal method, which involved repetition to retain information. Results showed that the standard technique was more effective, but the memory loci method has its own advantages and is considered efficient for long-term memory storage.

Loci technique enhancing the memory
strategy for the long term

Abstract:
The loci method is used to enhance the memory capacity as well as to retrieve those
information which is being stored in the memory. It is also described as the memory journey
or the mind palace technique. It is also noted that the when the memory it is important to
review the structural mechanism. This process is succeeded in the serial recalling process
which involves in memory. The levels of processing is the most integral part regarding the
subject. The implicit memory and the levels of the processing is found only in the explicit
memory tests. Memory could be either the short term or the long term based on the capacity.
In this research paper the two end results are being compared such as before memorizing and
the next step is the process involved in the recalling. When the experiment is being conducted
the memory method loci is said to be an effective one among all the strategies. The Craig and
Lockhart, 1972 also summaries the various approaches in to process the experiment which
always requires the attention, rehearsal and the encoding and finally the retrieval
representation of the system.
Introduction
It is stated that the survival processing is also an effective type of the processing
which is related to the memory. Among various techniques which is being involved in loci,
the oldest and the most famous technique is the mnemo-technique. From these methods it’s
clear that the method of loci works well. The advantage of this method is most reflected only
when the material or the text is being placed orally or in the written format.
In this method it involves in the encoding hypothesis where it’s been connected to the
real world objects. Within minutes the memory palace could be built by using this technique.
The technique such as the technique which is used to hold the free speeches and its being
connected by the key points. This type of the method of loci is always being associated with
the memory championships. The mnemonics device is designed to be a trick to remember the
things so easily. This technique is being invented by the Greek poet. Various personalities
used this type of the technique for memorizing of the information
The Literature review has been conducted on this topic such as Craik & Tulving has
set in order to test the various levels of processing. By this processing it is possible to think
about the person and various experiments were also conducted. Here the deeper levels of
processing also results in better memories. This type of processing is much vague and this
could not be observed. The author has explained how Craik and Lockhart also argued

regarding the deep processing which has deeper coding and the better retention since it’s
more elaborate. The research has also indicated that this processing is more complex and it’s
being varied than the other levels of the processing.
The information processing theory uses the computer model which is used to describe
the type of the human learning. Here in this theory the information is being collected,
processed and then it’s being stored and finally retrieved. It is also based on the idea of how
humans are processing the information they receive. The computer also process the
information which also includes the internal states which even affects the processing. In the
parallel distributed processing, the author has explained about the mind which also consists of
the various units which is being connected by the neural network. The various mental
processes consists of the interactions between these units and also helps in the parallel when
compared to the sequential operation. This parallel distributed processing which is also
known as PDP. This was also the artificial network where the parallel natures of the neural
processing is being stressed.
The theory of levels of processing model also called as the Craik and
Lockhart, 1972 involves in the process which is being involved in the memory. In this
technique, it is used to predict the information which is deeper and those information could
even last forever and could even be traced. Craik has even defined the levels of processing
such as its something meaningful which is being extracted from the stimulus depending upon
the number of the analyses which is being performed on it. There is a basic idea which is
behind this levels of processing. It is similar to the multi-store model also called as the non-
structured approach. The idea behind this is that, the memory is result of processing the
information. The information is being processed in three different ways such as the structural
processing, phonemic processing and the semantic processing. The structural processing is
used when the appearance of something is being encoded. The phonemic processing is that
which are being encoded called as sound. It is also said to a type of the rehearsal which takes
place in the multi-store model. The deep processing involves the semantic processing. This
processing occurs when the encoding is related to the similar word. It is also said that the
Eysenck has claimed regarding the levels of processing theory which also describes the Craik
and Lockhart has also argued which is related to the deep processing which is leading to the
long term memory. It has also failed to provide the deep processing which is being so
effective. The studies has also link the meaning in the already existing network.

There are different explanations when the memory of loci is being taken in to account. The
data also supports the processing which is being done in the memory research technique. The
technique is also said to be the oldest technique to process the memory technique deeply. In
the memory of loci is used to encode the information. This technique is used in three phases
such as the first phase is used to select the memories the series of the words and the various
locations. In the second phase, the subjected is being created for each of the item and those
are being remembered in the loci logic. And in the third phase the retrieval is done by using
the loci pathway and those series of the words and the various locations are being
remembered. There are lots of advantages which are being involved in the method of loci.
The things which needs to be remembered needs to be shown in front either it needs to be in
written format. This method however involves in the encoding options. It also reduces the
retrieval competition. It is also necessary to encourage the participants in order to think in
better way. In order to analyse the effects, the replication on the results is also done. This is
also tried with the various material and the series of the words. The survival processing is
also effective method is called as the memory of loci. This method also has the beneficiary on
the memory such that it involves in the survival processing method. It is also an advantage
since it facilitates the concept and it’s even helpful in recalling. A second experiment is being
done in order to influence the processing called as the survival processing. In the memory of
loci the encoding richness helps in the hypothesis even to stimulate the thoughts and also its
helps in the survival process. In the experimental condition, the imagery instructions. Here
the participants are given the list of the words to memorise and they need to recall all those
words. Certain discussions were done, based on the few experiments which also requires the
encoding options. This method is also used to remember the list of items, speeches, names of
the people etc. This technique works well the concept of memorizing is completely different.
In few cases the locations are being organized in a hierarchical order that the memory
concept works very easily.
This method is also a different type of the banking method with the use of the twist.
This method is being developed by the Simonides of Ceos. He was the one who recognized a
death, where the guest was sitting and how the murdered has occurred. The memory tool was
used by the Greek in order to give speeches without the use of the aids. The process involved
in the linking of the loci methods which also helps in remembering the items which are on the
list. Here in this way the problem arises is that could be done by the help of the linking
method. An experiment was conducted in order to show the brain activities of the memory.

The memory training was given to the few members and group was identified that the method
of loci works in them. The unrelated pieces of the information was taken and its being
incorporated and those words has been identified by the human in the overtime. This paper
also has the limitations such as the training portion. The recalling option is used to enhance
the serial recalls. Here the comparison is being done on the survival scenario and along with
the two different conditions. The loci method is said to be more effective when it’s being
compared with survival processing.
It is also said that the Romans usually placed the key points in the speech locations in
order to remember the key points. The romans used to walk when they give the speech. This
method is also the visual filing system. The recalling is done virtually where the n number of
the items are being place in the fixed order. There is advantage of improving the memory.
Whether the user is paying the attention or not the area which is being focussed by the user is
being taken in to the account where the stimulus captures the information which is around the
presenter. This type of technique is being used in the exam and also to present the papers or it
could be used when the speech is being conducted by us. The memory concept is also used by
the individual to grasp the specific concepts. Various methods, devices and the memory
techniques are helpful to attain this. These language concepts occurs in the sense of the slang
and the metaphors. People also will be clearer because they may also think or remember the
things in the most organized way. The process of creating the taxonomy is much important
for the education as well as in the learning part. It is also impossible to delete the things from
the memory concentration and also the things which are related to the memory connection.

Aim and Hypothesis:
As sophisticated as memory is and as well as it serves us it is far from perfect, therefore, the
way that we encode information for retrieval and incorporate memory techniques is one way
in which we may be able to improve memory. The current research aimed to test as to
whether using the method of loci memorising technique enables for a better level of recall
compared to a standardised rehearsal of information memorising technique. An experimental
design was used to as to which technique was the most beneficial in the correct recall of a
series of words. Based on previous research literature (Kroneisen & Makerud 2017), it was
hypothesised that participants using the method of loci memorising strategy would recall
significantly more correct words than participants using a simple rehearsal strategy.

Methods
Design
A between-group experimental design was incorporated to study the effect of memory
technique (method of loci vs. standard rehearsal) on the ability to correctly recall words.
Participants were randomly allocated to either Condition A (method of loci) or Condition B
(standard rehearsal), where they were provided with instructions as to how they should
memorise a list of words. The study controlled for noise by requesting silence in the room
where memorisation and testing took part, additionally a scripted procedure ensured that data
collection was consistent for all researchers across the study.
Participants
Two hundred and twenty psychology students from Coventry University (UK) were recruited to
participate in the study using opportunity sampling. Students participated in exchange for course
credits. There were 176 females and 80 males (4 participants wished to withhold their gender) with a
mean age of 25.86 years (SD= 10.41) ranging from 18 to 56 years old. Ethical approval for this study
was granted by Faculty of Health Sciences at Coventry University.

Materials
Each condition had slightly different instructions in terms of the way that they should
memorise a list of 20 words given to them. Condition A (see Appendix C) requested that
participants use a method of loci technique
e.g. “The Method of Loci is a mental walk. As you imagine a journey from one
location to another you place any items you want to remember at specific
locations. The pairing of the items with a location should mean that when you
want to remember the items you simply retrace your mental steps.”.
Participants were also informed as to how they should recall the words on the list by retracing
their steps on the mental walk. In contrast Condition B (standard rehearsal; see Appendix D)
participants were given the instructions;
“I will shortly present you with the list of words, when I do just try to rehearse
and memorise as many as you can, do not try to use any specific strategies to
improve your memory. When I do give you the word list, please do not try to
write any of the words down”.
A list of 20 words was generated through the Paivio et al. Word list Generator through the
website http://www.datavis.ca/online/paivio/ which allows users to generate a list of words
with as many words as they wish, the generated list of 20 words controlled for variables of
syllables (2-4), number of letters (3-10), Kucera-Francis word frequency (1-100), imagery
rating (5-7), concreteness (5-7) and meaningfulness (5-7).

Procedure
Participants attended a PC suite where they were welcomed and met by the researcher who provided
them with participant information (Appendix A) as well as a consent form (Appendix B). Participants
willing to participate were asked if they were clear on the test they were to undertake, if unsure they
were provided with further instructions until happy to continue. Participants were sat down and given
time to make themselves comfortable before being provided with instructions as to how they should
memorise a list of 20 words that was about to be presented to them (Condition A or Condition B). All
participants were given 2 minutes to memorise as many of the words as possible. Researchers timed
the participant for 2 minutes and once time had passed the list of words was removed. Participants
were then presented with a recall sheet and requested to try their best to recall as many words as
possible in 4 minutes. Once the 4 minutes had passed the recall sheet was removed and participants
were thanked for their time and informed that they were free to go.

Results
An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the correct recall scores for
participants in either the Method of Loci or standard rehearsal memory technique groups. All
assumptions for conducting an independent t-test were met. There was a significant
difference in mean scores for participants in the Method of Loci group (M = 16.04, SD=
3.39) and the standard rehearsal group (M= 14.60, SD= 3.26; t (218)= 3.22, p<.001).

Discussion
From the above conducted experiment by splitting the participants in to the two groups such
as the group A and the group B. The instruction set which was being given to both are completely
different. The task is to memorise the given list and also they need to recall those things which has
been memorised. This has been conducted in order to find out whether the memory loci is efficient of
the standard rehearsal method is efficient. Now let’s discuss the concepts which are being involved in
the both of the methods. The memory of loci is the method where the words are being placed in in
front or those words needs to be in the written format. Only then this memory technique is efficient.
The Set A members are being treated in the memory of loci method. Where the object and the words
are either said orally or it’s being shown in the written format. The memory of loci is considered to be
efficient on since the ages of the Roman who used to present the speeches. It is also considered as the
ancient memory technique. This method also known as the memory palace method. This techniques
was being invented 2000 years ago and greatly used by the Greek and Roman. The memory of loci is
being done only with the memory championships.
The other set of memory technique is the standard technique known as the memory rehearsal.
This method usually involves in the process of repetition in order to retention of the memories. Here
the information which needs to stay in memory is being repeated several times and finally it’s stored
in the memory. This type of the memory technique is considered as the short term memory whereas
the memory of loci is considered to be the long term memory. The other name of this memory is said
to be the working memory. Here the meaning of the information is not at all processed but the
information is repeated several times. The information is not being connected to the other
information. This Craik and the Lockhart has also proposed a type of memory which is used to recall
and also which involves the multiple processing stages at different levels. The rehearsal method
requires the attention. Based on the type of the information the processing level differs. In this method
it is possible to recall immediately. Based on the information the person needs to decide the path in
which he needs to recall the information. It is also called as the maintenance rehearsal. If the user tries
to correlate the information with the meaningful ness then it’s easier to recall it again.
From the above conducted experiments, hypothesis and from the result it’s much clear that
the standard technique has been considered as the effective one since it has the much deviation. The
major drawback in the standard technique is that it does not involve the meaning of the word but
requires the repeated number of processing in order to last longer.