How Chunking Improves Memory : Psychology Behind Chunking

How do you memorize contact numbers? Do you memorize the contact numbers by remembering each number or just divide 4-4-2 digits in your mind to memorize the contact number faster and easier?

In psychology, we call the process of dividing long information into short memorable pieces as chunking. Do you know there are various mental health benefits of chunking?

Everyone has their own way of chunking the information. On a regular basis, we are blasted with new information, terms, numbers, and whatnot! Memorizing each one of them is a bit of a task. With the help of chunking, now we can memorize information easily and seek various mental health benefits at the same time.

In this blog, we will be taking a deep look at what is chunking in psychology and its benefits. Let’s get started!

What is Chunking?

Chunking is an easy process of grouping large information into smaller pieces. It helps people summarize, organize, and memorize the information effectively.

Most importantly, it helps us achieve a sense of meaning behind the piece of information. With the help of chunking, people can seek the purpose behind, predict what’s going to happen next, and prepare themselves emotionally.

The fact is that we all have been chunking information throughout our lives without knowing the actual mental health benefits of chunking. In psychology, chunking can help improve memory, cognitive ability, overall functioning, and short-term memory.

Definition of Chunking from different perspectives:

• Chunking information as a working or short-term memory: This method of chunking is used by people to learn contact numbers. For example, if you want to memorize a contact number 9002445986, you might divide the contact number into smaller pieces or chunks, 900-244-5986.
• Chunking in learning: Chunking can also be used for recalling auditory or visual information. For example, in order to learn a new task, an employee or student might divide the steps into smaller pieces of information to take the successive step ahead.
• Miller’s Chunking Theory: Miller’s chunking theory in psychology helps people recall information. According to Miller’s theory, seven is the average number of information or details an individual can store. The art of dividing details into smaller chunks helps people remember more information than usual.

What are the Mental Health Benefits of Chunking?

Below listed are some of the important benefits of chunking:

• Enhances memory
• Improves short-term memory
• Promotes cognitive skills
• Improves focus
• Reduces the stress of learning
• Improves learning skills
• Improves productivity
• Promotes effective problem-solving skills
• Enhances understanding of a specific topic or subject

How to Make Use of Chunking Effectively?

As I said, we all have been chunking throughout our lives. Now that you know the benefits of chunking, let me explain the process of chunking in an easier way for you. If you want to work on improving your memory, you can start by dividing long pieces of information into smaller chunks.

For example, if you want to memorize a list of vocabulary, you can re-arrange the terms in alphabetical order, or group, and summarize the list accordingly.

Another example of chunking can be chunking a grocery list, you can re-arrange the required stuff in different groups such as vegetables, dairy, fruits, essentials, and others to shop without hassles. Listed steps below can help you chunk easily:

1. Start with small: If you’re new to chunking, you can start practicing with small stuff such as contact numbers, important dates in a month, birth dates, and others. With time and practice, you will become better and remember more information.
2. Look for connections: One of the best ways to chunk larger pieces of information is to start grouping by looking for connections. Find something in common and start grouping.
3. Combine one related memory with another: If you find one memory related to an older memory, try to relate them, find connections and associations, and form a short-term memory that is harder to forget.

I hope this blog helps you understand the psychology behind chunking and its benefits. For more such content, connect with us through social media.

Thanks for reading!