The Psych Files Podcast » Mnemonics

Episode 96 (video): Mnemonics Advanced: The Pegword System Part 2

Michael — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:52:42 +0000

In the last episode you saw me memorize – almost perfectly – a list of 20 top sci-fi movies. How did I do it? In this video learn exactly how the advanced pegword system works. I’ll show you how each number becomes a letter, each letter becomes a word and each word becomes an image that will help you memorize just about any size list. Skeptical? You won’t be after seeing exactly how the pegword system works.

Need more mnemonics for psychology? Here’s some help on memorizing the parts of the brain:

Resources on the Pegword Mnemonic System

Here is a Word document which contains all the information on the pegword system that you saw me show in the video (and contained in the image below).
Here’s an image containing the pegs, words, and images I used in the video:

Episode 95 (video): Mnemonics Advanced: The Pegword System Part 1

Michael — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:40:02 +0000

Did you know there’s a mnemonic device that is more powerful than the "One is a bun" pegword mnemonic? Here’s a system you can use for lists that have more than 12 items. In this video I show you the advanced pegword mnemonic system in which every number becomes a letter and a concrete word that you can visualize to help you remember a list of any length. See how to put mental imagery and your memory to work in this video.

Episode 72 (video): Memorize the Parts of the Brain

Michael — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:04:20 +0000

Memorize the parts of the brain once and for all! Here’s a mnemonic device to help you remember the parts of the brain. You will never forget the anatomy of the brain after you see this video. Improve your grade on your next biopsychology test and learn more about mnemonics at the same time. If you’re looking for psychology mnemonics, this is it.

Need to memorize even more parts of the brain? Click this image:

Mnemonic Devices Used in this Episode

Cerebral Cortex: imagine a Texas cowboy hat on top of a brain. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain just under the hat where complex thinking occurs.
Corpus Callosum: The corpus callosum is the fibers that connect the two halves of the brain. Thus, it adds the two parts together. Think of the corPLUS CalloSUM. Since the corpus callosum coordinates communication between the two hemispheres, think of corpus Call Someone.
Thalamus: the thalamus takes sensations that come from the body and directs them to the appropriate part of the brain for processing. Thus, think of Hal and Amos – two traffic cops in the brain who direct these sensations to the right route.
Hypothalamus: the hypothalamus regulates a number of things in the body such as body temperature, thirst, hunger, and sex drive. Think of “hypo the llamas”. Your llamas are hot, sweaty and thirsty and you use a hypo to spray water on them to cool them down and give them some water.
Hippocampus: the hippocampus is the seat of memory. Think of a hippo with a compass. The hippo uses the compass to find his way back to the swamp because he can’t remember where it is.
Amygdala: the amygdala controls your sense of fear. Think of either a MIG coming right at you and, of course, making you afraid, or picture a scary wig with dollars in it
Pons: the pons helps you relax and sleep. Think of a relaxing pond.
Cerebellum: the cerebellum helps in coordination and balance. Picture your favorite athlete with bells all over his/her body (hanging from his/her clothes, hands, feet, etc.).
Reticular Formation: the reticular formation helps you to become alert and aroused when you need to be. Think of what would happen if you were napping and someone tickled you: your reticular formation would kick into gear to wake you up.
Medulla: the medulla regulates the autonomic activity of your heart and lungs. Picture medals over your heart and lungs, or stick those medals into a heart.

Psych Files listener Toby sent me this link to an excellent site where you can find mnemonics for all kinds of disciplines: Mnemonics Guide from EUdesign.

If you liked the “Tickle Me Freud” doll you saw in the episode (I got it for my wife as a present), you can get it at Amazon. Click on Freud:

Episode 68: Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

Michael — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:05:11 +0000

Memorize Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development once and for all! In this video episode I have a little fun using the peg word mnemonic device and ordinary household objects to show how mnemonics work and how to apply them to the challenge of memorizing Erikson’s eight stages.

Need more mnemonics for psychology? Here’s how you can memorize the parts of the brain:
Here are the mnemonics I used in the video:

Bun (Trust vs. Mistrust) a "rust" colored bun

Shoe (Autonomy vs. Shame) an "auto" shoved inside of a shoe. The auto is driven by "shane"

Tree (Initiative vs. Guilt) Shia Leboef, or an Inn are sitting in a tree, which is wrapped with a quilt

Dinosaur (Industry vs. Inferiority) picture a dinosaur with dust (in"dust"try) sprinkled all over it. The dinosaur feels inferior because of the dust all over it.

Sky dive (Identity vs. Role Confusion) a skydiver's chute doesn't open and he falls on top of a car denting it. He is also very confused after hitting the car.

Sticks (Intimacy vs. Isolation) picture two sticks in love and one stick all by himself.

Heaven (Generativity vs. Stagnation) picture a generator up in heaven that died because it ran out of gas and a male deer (stag) pulling the cord to try to get it started again.

Plate (Integrity vs. Despair) picture grits and a pear on a plate.

You can also download this list in PDF format by clicking here.

Episodes on Mnemonics and Erik Erikson

Episode 32 on Mnemonics
Episode 20 on Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development

Episode 32: Mnemonics and Two Keys to Learning

Michael — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 21:24:37 +0000

To learn or not to learn: that is the question this week on The Psych Files. Come with me as I explore mnemonic techniques, learn to memorize Hamlet’s famous speech, and learn 2 keys to true, lasting learning.

Need to memorize the parts of the brain? This will help:

Resources For This Episode

Click to read the article in New York Magazine by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman about the psychology of sleep.

Here’s an article entitled, "Sleep Builds Long Term Memories" which explains from a neurological perspective why sleep is essential to long term learning

The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play

Mnemonic Techniques:

Acronyms: “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” and ROY G BIV
Rhyme – “30 days has September”
method of Loci
Pegword (“one is a bun”)
Keywords