Using the "Method of Loci" Memorization Tool

Originally posted on A contrario on 31 October, 2007

An article on memory in this month's issue of National Geographic mentions the "Method of Loci" as a powerful memory tool1. Those of you who know me are already aware of how notoriously sporadic my memory tends to be, largely as a result of Attention Deficit Disorder. While I have little difficulty recalling that the Latin name for the Song Sparrow is "Melospiza melodia", I can never seem to remember whether I'm 27, 28 or 29 years old--wait, I think I'm 30 now... I had also encountered the Loci Method in a book on "Mind Hacks"2, so I decided to investigate.

The technique underlying the Loci Method cleverly exploits the mind's ability to recall visual information and spatial relationships. It is useful for recalling large amounts or "units" of information, and once implemented, the information can be accessed at any "location". The practical upshot of this is that you don't have to start at the beginning of the sequence, but may enter the sequence at any point. This makes the Loci Method useful for memorizing long speeches or stories. Using the approach described below, a colleague and I were able to recall random sequences of ten words after only one hearing (to fully appreciate how useful this is, try memorizing a similar list without using any techniques). I will describe how to set up your own "Memory Path" using the way that I memorized the eight "Grand Challenges" listed by the NRC as an example3.

Begin by identifying a path that you follow regularly or a building (e.g. your house) that you know well. You will then divide your path or building into a number of sections that is set by the number of items you want to memorize. For instance, the NRC lists eight challenges, so you'd want at least eight spaces. This could be eight rooms (or eight distinct places in a room) if you are using a building. If you are using a common route, then this would translate into eight landmarks along your path. I live in a one-bedroom apartment, so the home option only gives me two rooms to work with, and I'd have a hard time dividing my living room into eight distinct spaces. Therefore, I chose the route between my office and my bus stop. Once you have your route/building selected and your eight landmarks/rooms in mind, read the list of challenges below. Integrate each item on the list into your eight loci using some sort of dramatic or absurd visual image.

The NRC's Grand Research Challenges4:

1. Hydrologic Forecasting
2. Reinventing the Use of Materials
3. Infectious Disease and the Environment
4. Institutions and Natural Resource Use
5. Land Use Dynamics
6. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
7. Biogeochemical Cycles
8. Climate Variability

I listed those items from memory just to prove that the method actually works. Note that the numbering (assuming the template you're seeing this in uses numbered lists) is merely to assure you that there are eight items; I didn't list them in any particular order beyond that which I chose to memorize them in. Once you have an image for each item, try listing the eight challenges yourself. You should be able to name them all on your first try. If not, just try again. If you find that you are repeatedly having trouble with a particular item, try using a more striking image. If you keep forgetting a particular landmark, you may want to use a different one. For those of you who are having trouble thinking of images, here's my list to get you started:

1. Hydrologic Forecasting: I pictured my office flooding to the point where my computer monitors were halfway submerged.
2. Reinventing the Use of Materials: I pictured our building custodian, Richard, standing in the hallway next to a recycling truck, yelling at me to recycle my soda cans.
3. Infectious Disease and the Environment: I pictured the monkey from the film "Outbreak" wrestling with a giant Deer Tick and tumbling down the stairwell.
4. Institutions and Resource Use: I pictured George Bush drilling for oil inside our building's side atrium.
5. Land Use Dynamics: I pictured a construction crew converting our parking lot into an express-way bypass.
6. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: I pictured a lion and a zebra standing with Jethro Tull as he sang "Bungle in the Jungle" alongside the path leading to the neighbouring building. Many other jungle critters were also dancing.
7. Biogeochemical Cycles: I pictured the giant CO₂, H₂O₂, O₃, N and P arrows that they use in colourful textbook illustrations of biogeochemical cycles appearing along the path that runs from the building to the side walk.
8. Climate Variability: I pictured a tornado stuck in the middle of the crosswalk that leads to our bus stop, waiting for traffic to clear on both sides.

You'll probably have an easier time of it if you make the imagery more bizarre or humorous. Some of the texts I've read also suggest using sacrilegious or erotic images, as these are more likely to be memorable. I leave the decision to use such things up to the reader. The point is that the images should be something that you're not likely to see and forget about, so be creative and let your imagination run wild.

1. 1. Joshua Foer (2007) Mapping Memory National Geographic. November 2007.
2. 2. Ron Hale-Evans (2006) Mind Performance Hacks: Tips and Tools for Overclocking Your Brain. O'Reilly Media, Inc. 330 pages. ISBN 0596101538.
3. 3. National Research Council (2001) Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
4. 4. ibid.