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There are many effective and original methods to memorization. People remember differently and it’s important to find a way that works for you.
Sept. 2009’s Insights Canada Magazine, focused on the how’s and why’s of memorization.
Chuck Swindoll’s article, How to Memorize Scripture, lists seven tips for successful memorization. He says it’s better to learn a small amount well than a great deal poorly, and it’s a good idea to break large sections up into smaller amounts. He recommends daily repeating of memorized passages to ensure they’re committed to memory.
Also, in Insights, Suzanne Benner provides five tips for learning longer passages. In, By Heart: Memorizing Scripture Will Change Your Life, she says memorization takes time but the rewards are immeasurable. Benner also offers a personal example of how Scripture memory has changed her life.
Both articles refer to the term, “association,” and encourage using more than one sense to memorize Scripture. Association helps the brain logically tie items together with minimal effort. The brain is capable of remembering limitless amounts of information, but it needs to first learn how to memorize before it can easily retrieve memories.
Different types of memories
Wikipedia says short-term memory (STM) is believed to last 18 seconds, with a capacity of four to nine items. This is called “memory span.”
For college students, research shows the magical number seven is the limit for recalling lists of digits. With words, however, memory span varies. The ability to remember words in order hinges on these variables: word-length, phonological similarities, familiarity, frequency and categories.
Long-term memory (LTM) is a land without limits. Wikipedia says long-term memories can last from a few days to entire decades and never overfill. Memories are transferred to LTM from STM by repetition and association.
Of course, LTM is not immune to forgetfulness. If information isn’t retrieved somewhat frequently, it disappears. Spaced repetition usually takes the form of flashcards and happens through reflection or deliberate recall—often dependent on the perceived importance of the material.
Chunking
By chunking, our ability to remember things in the short term expands. Chunking is the process of organizing information into meaningful groups. The average 20something only retains a few items short term, however, chunking can greatly increase a person’s recall capacity. For example, chunking the digits of a phone number into three groups (area code, three-digit and four-digit) is easier to recall than attempting to remember a string of 10 digits.
Learning by association
An easy way of thinking of association is to look at the human brain as a computer memory. The brain’s regions could be compared to a folder/subfolder filing system.
Learning by association (LBA) essentially tricks the brain into remembering items in list-form, in order to recall it shortly after. This method not only improves the STM but also helps categorize items and save them in the LTM. Using this memory method, folder categories would include:
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Sound
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Smell
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Taste
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Touch
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Sight
A cheesy but simple example of a LBA method is an audio grocery list. Let’s say you’re attending a barbeque and at the last minute, the host calls and asks you to pick up four items:
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Steaks
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Barbeque sauce
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Steak knives
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Lettuce
This is one unorganized host. And you’re no better—you forgot to write the list down. In this situation, associating the items with body parts is a useful way to remember everything.
Perhaps you’ll imagine your feet are steaks, and they’re squishy when you walk because of all the barbeque sauce on them. There are two items. Next, your legs have turned into steak knives and are stabbing your feet. Good thing you’re immune to pain. Finally, you remember your head is actually made of lettuce and there’s your list.
This is a silly, but effective, memory trick. Try it out the next time you’re in a hurry and need to recall information accurately.
Visualization and association is also used in the Bible. Ephesians 6:14-17 (NLT) says:
“Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle, you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
After reading the passage, it is clear Paul was speaking of figurative armour for a spiritual war. By associating truth, righteousness, peace, etc. with armour he creates a visual image for his readers to relate to and remember clearly.
Understand what you’re reading
It’s far easier to remember something if you understand it, so try comprehend what you’re reading before you attempt to memorize.
By simplifying the process of memorization, your brain will learn to recognize patterns and associations. As a result, you will find remembering new information less difficult.
By Robyn Roste
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