1st Edition
Mnemonology Mnemonics for the 21st Century
This book bridges the gap between basic memory research and mnemonic applications through a careful analysis of the processes that underlie effective memory aids. The book traces the history of mnemonics, examines popular techniques, and discusses the current relevance of mnemonics to both psychological researchers and those seeking to improve their memory. Using a unique approach (termed "mnemonology"), the authors seek not necessarily to promote specific mnemonic techniques, but to provide information which will allow one to improve memory by creating their own mnemonics.
1. Is There a Place for Mnemonics in Modern Psychology? 2. General Considerations in Selecting Mnemonics. 3. Basic Cognitive and Mnemonic Processes. 4. Formal Mnemonic Systems. 5. Organizational Mnemonics. 6. Experts and Professional Mnemonists. 7. Mnemonics Returns to Education. 8. Mnemonics in Rehabilitation of Impaired Memory and Associated Disabilities. 9. So, Is There a Place for Mnemonics in Contemporary Psychology?
Biography
James B. Worthen received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Texas Tech University. He held positions at Michigan Technological University and the University of Texas at Brownsville before joining the faculty at Southeastern Louisiana University where he is now Assistant Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The bulk of his research has been devoted to understanding the mnemonic influence of bizarreness and distinctiveness.
R. Reed Hunt received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of New Mexico. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he taught at Dartmouth College, Furman University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research has focused on human memory. He currently is Associate Editor of Memory and of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition.
"James Worthen and Reed Hunt [are] two of the world’s finest scholars on the intricacies of human memory. Not only is their book a thorough and accessible review of mnemonics, but it also is an intellectual call to arms to bring mnemonics into the scientific rigors of the new millennium." - David A. Gallo, University of Chicago, PsycCRITIQUES
"This is an interesting, readable and a useful book. It fills a niche that other memory books do not cover or cover superficially." - Barbara Wilson, Medical Research Council, Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, UK
"I enjoyed reading Mnemonology: Mnemonics for the 21st Century. Worthen and Hunt do a masterful job of placing mnemonic strategies within the broader context of memory processes. I recommend this authoritative and highly readable book to students, teachers, and researchers who are interested in memory." - Russell N. Carney, Missouri State University, USA
"I found this book to be a highly readable and balanced account of the history of mnemonics and memory research. The authors offer a compelling and integrative synthesis of mnemonics and memory research - an approach that I hope will be adopted by other memory researchers, educators, and cognitive psychologists." - Alvin Wang, University of Central Florida, USA
