Memory technique: Association

Association is clustering information into groups, relating new knowledge to old knowledge, etc. 

There are two ways people use association.  One way is to group words together under categories.  Another way is to relate the new information with something already familiar to you.

1. Using Categories

Types of dogs             Names

German Shephard      John
Collie                          Michael
Poodle                         Susan
Terrier                        Latoya

2. Relating the New Information with the Known-Examples
-To remember right and left, associate that the left hand creates an "L" shape with the thumb and index finger.
-The difference between vertical and horizontal; Vertical, the lines in the letter "V" go up and down while the "H" is shaped like a bed one would lie down on.  
-passwords: year of birth, etc.

Association is especially useful for remembering names.  Can you think of any other ways to use association?  Practice association by doing the exercise below.

Directions: Look at the list of words given and then place the words into groups by category.  Name each group to help you remember the words.

1. airplanes, baseball, soccer, couch, chair, cars, basketball, trains, hockey, bicycles

2. sad, biology, math, happy, mad, social studies, disappointed