The human brain functions according to a certain basic pattern, which can be used to train the memory performance as efficiently as possible and thus make it more usable. In the context of mnemonics, there are various mental factors that serve as a basis for the most diverse techniques and can be made usable for them. The basic principle of each mnemonics is to install certain anchors in the brain, to which a piece of information can be attached. Thus larger learning contents can be noticed and remembered. These anchor structures, are always based on factors of imagination, visualization, transformation, emotion, association, localization and logic.
- Fantasy: The ability of humans to enrich certain things, for example abstract and dry learning content, with stories and ideas.
- Visualization: The brain’s ability to imagine images and movies in the mind’s eye or mind.
- Logic: Logical skills are used to give a learning material a certain structure and to assign a certain meaning to cold facts and figures.
- Emotion: The use of emotions to link learning content. Thoughts that are associated with emotions are easier to remember.
- Transformation: The learning content is mentally transformed into a somewhat lighter form and can thus be better memorized.
- Localization: The ability to mentally associate specific things and objects with a specific place.
- Association: The ability to make a connection between two different pieces of information or learning content.