Which memory improvement method involves grouping information into smaller units to reduce the load on short-term memory?

Which memory improvement method involves grouping information into smaller units to reduce the load on short-term memory?

• A. Chunking
• B. Brevity
• C. Clarity
• D. Organization

Answer: (B)

Grouping information into smaller units to reduce the load on short-term memory is chunking. Working memory can hold only a few items at once, so breaking a long sequence into meaningful chunks allows you to treat each chunk as a single item. For example, phone numbers are remembered by grouping digits, or you might chunk a set of related facts into a familiar pattern or acronym, leveraging long-term memory to support recall. The other terms describe different aims: brevity is about using fewer words, clarity is about making information easy to understand, and organization is about arranging items logically. Chunking specifically enhances memory by expanding how much you can hold in working memory through these meaningful units.

Grouping information into smaller units to reduce the load on short-term memory is chunking. Working memory can hold only a few items at once, so breaking a long sequence into meaningful chunks allows you to treat each chunk as a single item. For example, phone numbers are remembered by grouping digits, or you might chunk a set of related facts into a familiar pattern or acronym, leveraging long-term memory to support recall. The other terms describe different aims: brevity is about using fewer words, clarity is about making information easy to understand, and organization is about arranging items logically. Chunking specifically enhances memory by expanding how much you can hold in working memory through these meaningful units.