ENHANCING THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MEMORY BY ENHANCING MEMORY OF PSYCHOLOGY

Perhaps the classic introduction of mnemonic techniques to introductor y psychology students is the textbook or the instructor describing a f ew simple examples. However, such examples may be insufficient to conv ince students of the utility of such techniques for their own learning . We offer supplementary instructional suggestions, along with specifi c examples, for enhancing students' motivation to apply mnemonic strat egies. First, confidence in the efficacy of mnemonic strategies is fos tered through actual demonstrations, or mnemonstrations, initially pro vided by the instructor and then by the students themselves. Second, g reater perceived personal relevance of mnemonic strategies is establis hed by helping students apply the strategies directly to psychology co urse content on which they will be tested.