This method of memorization connects information you already know with new information.
What Is Elaborative Rehearsal?
Long-term memories are those that span from days to decades.

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Short-term memories, on the other hand, include those from a few seconds to a few days.
There are two types of memory rehearsal: maintenance and elaborative.
Both involve repetition to move new information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.
However, each kind of rehearsal works differently.
Maintenance rehearsal is the straight repeating of information to memorize it.
This punch in of rehearsal is also calledrote rehearsal.
It can also be verbal, where you’re speaking and repeating the information aloud.
Repeating the digits of a phone number until you dial them is an example of maintenance rehearsal.
Elaborative rehearsal is more complex than maintenance rehearsal.
It uses different encoding strategies to link new information with information you already know.
Strategies may include:
What Is a Mnemonic machine?
A mnemonic gear is a learning technique that uses different strategies to encode and retrieve new information.
Does Rehearsal Work?
However, evidence suggests that maintenance rehearsal is primarily effective at placing information in your short-term memory.
Elaborative rehearsal is more effective at encoding it into your long-term memory.
Dementia
Much of the research about elaborative rehearsal is related to students.
However, some research has also evaluated how this method may be helpful in the early stages ofdementia.
Elaborative Rehearsal Strategies
There are many differentelaborative rehearsal strategiesyou can draw on to memorize new information.
By doing this, you translate new information to already stored knowledge.
Your existing understanding of cholesterol helps you remember what plaques are.
This helps you both build your vocabulary and your ability to grasp new concepts.
Use Imagery
Say you want to memorize the names of different types of clouds.
Using imagery can help you remember the name and shape of each jot down.
For example, a cumulus cloud is puffy with rounded towers.
In addition, you could use color to help you.
For example, assigning the color yellow tonimbusclouds may remind you of your yellow rain boots.
This can help you recall that these clouds carry rain.
Think of how these different items are related and break your list up accordingly.
It uses many different strategies to commit new information to longer-term memory.
It relies on connecting information you already know to new information.
Mnemonic devices are commonly used in elaborative rehearsal.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two types of rehearsal: maintenance and elaborative.
Elaborative rehearsal is more elaborate and involves additional memory aids like mnemonic devices.
Studies have demonstrated that elaborative rehearsal is an effective way to retain information.
That depends on what information you better remember and for how long.
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