How Chunking Memory Can Improve Short-Term Memory: Psychology Insights

Your memories may be some of your most valuable possessions. However, you may feel you forget information faster than you are gaining it. As you age, it could feel as if your brain struggles to keep track of the huge influx of information it receives daily. Or perhaps you are experiencing a physical or mental health condition that impacts your cognitive function. 

While there are several medical reasons why an individual may experience challenges with their memory, no one's memory is infallible, and everyone may benefit from memorization strategies. One such strategy is called "chunking." Chunking breaks down information into smaller, connected pieces to increase the brain's capacity for memorization and recall. This practice may also involve mnemonics, which are exercises used to remember lists or large amounts of information more easily. 

How chunking memory as a strategy improves short-term memory

You may already chunk your memories to a certain extent. Chunking is a strategy that can take advantage of how short-term memory naturally functions, allowing individuals to store information more effectively. It can be a valuable technique for combating severe memory problems or daily forgetfulness, a natural (and healthy) function of the human brain. This method has been tested in patients with diagnosable medical conditions like Alzheimer's and people with natural age-related forgetfulness.

What is chunking memory?

Even if you have never heard of chunking before, you may have been exposed to it. The fundamental principle behind chunking memory is that our brains are far better at comprehending and holding on to a few minor strings of information than an exceptionally long string. In other words, it may be more effective to practice chunking and breaking information down into smaller units when possible, as they are easily remembered.

What is a typical instance of memory chunking?

A typical instance of daily chunking is how we break up phone numbers into small groups with dashes. For example, a phone number that looks like 1-121-222-1111 may be more understandable than one written as 11212221111. It may feel easier to remember phone numbers as a few connected strings of numbers rather than a single string, where you might try to remember each number in a chunk size of ten instead of about four chunks. 

Is there any research or study on how chunking memory works?

Researchers in experimental psychology have studied how chunking works for years, and it now influences the design of almost every aspect of the content we see, hear, and read. Chunking memory has affected how news stories are written and how teachers create lessons for their students, utilizing patterns and first letters for mnemonic aids. For example, an article uses shortened paragraphs to retain information quickly as a reader skims the information. If the information was all one long paragraph of 2000 words, people may not want to stop and read, as it could be hard to focus on where one thought ends and another starts, due to our limited capacity of working memory and short term memory before things move into our long term memory storage. This method also enables learners to process larger chunks of information more effectively.

How does chunked memory work?

The science behind chunking dates to the 1950s and the work of a cognitive psychologist named George Miller. His research on short-term memory led to the conclusion that most people could, on average, simultaneously keep seven "chunks" of information in the brain. The number seven may not be a universally applicable value, however. Someone's chunking ability may range from five to nine or less. However, brains often have a natural method for holding and connecting separate pieces of information.

George Miller’s research on chunked memory

Breaking information down into pieces acts as a "brain hack" to surpass memory limitations. This process may require large-scale training but could be the key to improving memory capacity overall.

Practicing chunking in daily life

After learning to recognize when to use chunking, the next step is training your brain to receive its benefits. To improve recollection through chunking, start with daily practice. Whether you try memorizing grocery lists, studying for a test, or committing weekly commitments to memory, practice as much as possible. The practice may be less about the purpose of chunking and more about building a habit of identifying opportunities for implementing the strategy.

Break down memories into smaller chunks 

The Great Lakes are a prime example of how you can chunk information to simplify a large piece of into smaller pieces. The five lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) can easily be remembered with the acronym HOMES.  This acronym helps us to better remember the five lakes without having to remember each individual name.

Try to build connections

Next, try to build connections. Chunks are essentially information clusters, so making those clusters as logical as possible could make it easier to remember them. For example, suppose someone is trying to memorize a shopping list. In that case, they might create chunks that are separated into dairy products (milk, eggs, butter), fresh food (lettuce, asparagus, apples), and dry goods (sugar, flour, coffee). Or, you might create a mental image of the ingredients in a scene that makes sense, such as a visualization of a farmer's market stand.  

Learn about chunking psychology

Finally, practice remembering individual chunks as individual groups. People may find that by working with small associated groups, they can recall more information than they realized they were capable of. Chunking psychology is about organizing memories effectively. Think of it as a way to clean up the files of your brain. Step back to put each file in its rightful place before moving forward. Finally, approach the practice of chunking with intention and confidence.

Common short-term memory problems

Memory loss can originate from various sources. Medical conditions such as dementia or stress-related forgetfulness are common causes. If you're unsure of what constitutes a more significant memory issue, there are a few key signs of severe memory loss.

Signs of severe memory loss

• Repeatedly asking the same questions
• Struggling to follow directions
• Confusion over names, places, and times
• Quickly becoming lost in locations that should feel familiar
• Struggling to take care of one's health

Chunking may be a valuable tool for people facing these problems. However, it may not cure them and is not a replacement for medical attention. If you or someone you know is experiencing noticeable lapses in memory, reach out to your primary care physician for further referral. 

Memory loss and therapy

Memory loss and forgetfulness are experiences that can range from mild inconveniences to life-altering conditions. In addition to practicing useful memory techniques like chunking, it may be worth considering therapy for more advice on handling forgetfulness.

People experiencing conditions like Alzheimer's or dementia may want to explore other memory-oriented treatments like cognitive stimulation therapy (CST). CST attempts to activate brain activity through concentration-intensive activities focusing on communication, concentration, and memory. These activities may vary, but research has shown that CST can maintain improvement for patients in the short and long term. 

Therapy can be carried out in-person or online, and both can be useful in providing support to those experiencing memory-related issues. A recent study into the feasibility of telehealth memory intervention therapies in adults found online therapy to be both a practical and available resource. Additionally, online therapy can be utilized on an easy-to-use platform like BetterHelp. When you sign up, you may be matched with a counselor that fits your preferences.