How easy it is to remember information: a method proven by scientists

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Canadian researchers have confirmed that the best way to remember something is to read it aloud.

According to Colin MacLeod, professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo in Canada, when you say information out loud, it is better encoded in your memory.

Together with his team, he conducted a study in which subjects had to memorize information in four different ways. Participants read many random words silently and aloud, listened to recordings of their own voices, as well as how the words are read by someone else.

Those who read aloud aloud remembered the most words. In second place were the people who listened to the recordings. They were followed by subjects listening to someone else. Least of all words remained in the memory of those who read to themselves.

For the silent people, things were the worst. It's a little better when you hear someone's voice. It is much better if you can hear your own voice, but it is best to speak the words yourself and also hear your own voice and move your own language at the same time.

Colin MacLeod Professor of Psychology

In his most recent study, Macleod looked at the retention of information in long-term memory. However, his early research showed that speaking words out loud can also improve short-term memory. For example, if you are afraid that you will forget to close the door to the house or turn off the oven, say clearly: "I closed the door" or "I turned off the stove."

Researchers do not yet know why the use of voice helps to memorize information. Now they are going to study the physiological characteristics of this phenomenon.