Which encoding strategies are most effective? Why?

Which encoding strategies are most effective? Why?

An effective way of encoding is through elaborative rehearsal. Instead of just repeating what we want to learn, we should think about its meaning and try to connect it to the knowledge we already have.

The encoding strategies that are most effective (and very relevant at the moment as we are all studying for an exam) are:

Creating connections: between information
- When given a word to remember one can put this in a complex sentence because then the word is connected with all the other words (things) in the sentence and these can act as cues to retrieval.

- Creating visual images of words

- Linking words to self also enhances retrieval probably because we know ourselves so well, and episodic memory is said to enhance semantic memory so again it creates connections.

Active creation: of information
- Generate information; for example if you want to study for the exam, and you read the question posted above, before you read mine or zuzannas answer you might want to try to come up with the answer yourself.

- Testing: instead of just re-reading the book or the answers on this forum, you could test yourself on the material.

Organization: of information
- You could put the things you need to remember in groups and then this specific group could serve as a cue when you are trying to recall its members.

In general, you could say that the more detailed and well processed "thought of in terms of what you know and in terms of yourself" the thing to remember is in your mind, the better your memory of it. That's why it's called elaborative rehearsal, it's not automatic, your mind has to make an effort.

You should as well not try to learn everything at once, since memory is better when the material is worked through in several minor sessions, instead of everything at once.

Also, trying to create the same conditions for encoding and retrieving, ex. studying in a silent place, or a place that has a similar setting as where the retrieval will take place. And use state-dependent learning, meaning that the mood or awareness matches the encoding and retrieval.