Mnemonist Research Paper

442 Words2 Pages

A Mnemonist is an individual with the ability to remember and recall unusually long lists of data or information (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). They are skilled at remembering and recalling unfamiliar names, lists of numbers, and even entries in books (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). Most mnemonists have been found to use mnemonic devices to remember and recall information (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). With these mnemonics information is encoded through meaningful associations (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). These associations help with the retrieval of information (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). The retrieval, however, is usually structured itself and every mnemonists has a different retrieval structure or structures that they use (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). With practice of the mnemonic devices and their corresponding retrieval structures the mnemonist can increase the speed at which they recall the information (Yaro. C & Ward. J, 2007). …show more content…

He beat 20 competitors from six countries in tests of numerical, verbal, and visual memory, but O'Brien claims that his memory is merely average and that his success is more due to his techniques rather then any natural talent (Butcher J, 2000). To memorise a pack of cards, his best time being 38.29 seconds, O'Brien assigns each card a character and then he places each character along a familiar mental journey which will have 52 landmarks (Butcher J, 2000). To recall the cards all he has to do is recall the imagined journey (Butcher J, 2000). He used this technique for all of the tests in the World Memory Championships (Butcher J, 2000). It is said that dedication is defining quality in the very best mnemonists, O'Brien proves this stating that he will spend many hours a day practising for the major competitions (Butcher J, 2000). Practice is not without its rewards, O'Brien has made up to 1000 pounds a day at a blackjack table (Butcher J,