Memory cues

The state of mind is like an additional memory cue. Information is remembered better when the person is in the same mental, emotional, or drug-induced state as when it was learned. Each state of mind a person may experience has a unique network of stimuli which may be involved in the encoding stage. If this is so, returning to that state of mind will add as an additional retrieval cue in re-obtaining the memory.(Benjamin, Hopkins, & Nation, 1994. p.270-71) (Horton & Mills, 1984; Lowe, 1987).

This association between the memory cues and the state of mind is one reason why many successful programs designed to help people quit smoking, to overcome bad eating habits, or to cope with alcoholism, use behavior modification that will avoid tempting them with memory cues.

Emotional States

It is easier to learn something if you are feeling positive and cheerful than if you are feeling pessimistic or depressed. When you are feeling happy, you are more likely to remember happy thoughts, happy past events. Likewise, if you are feeling depressed, you are more likely to remember depressing thoughts, depressing events.

Knowing this information can help you begin to influence or to manage your own emotions or tendency to feel discouraged. Renew yourself with positive and supportive memory cues.

Attitude and Motivation (Remembering Well, p. 41; Wong, 2000.p.38; )

Your attitude about learning also plays an important role in memory. If you take a negative attitude toward having to memorize something, it is going to be much harder to learn. However, if you approach your task with a positive outlook, you will have a better chance for success, not to mention, you'll have a lot more fun! The more motivated you are to learn, the more fun it will be, and the more you will remember.

Sleep Consolidates Memories

It is controversial as to whether or not people can learn from tapes in their sleep. According to the theory of state-dependent memory, one might only remember the information if asleep, which wouldn't do much good. However, in a way, we do learn in our sleep. It is when we sleep that our brain is busy imprinting and consolidating memories in long term storage.