📝Mental models make things easier to remember

source

Colvin₂₀₁₉

High performers remember well real-world arrangements, but are “normal” on random memory tests. e.g., chess players can easily (couple of seconds) remember positions of all figures on board if it corresponds to a real chess match. However, if figures are placed randomly on the board, they do as good as normal people.

This is explained by experts having a mental model of what’s going on the board. They don’t remember placement of individual figures on the board, but rather whole arrangement or groups of figures. (e.g., they “French Defense” not “this figure here, that figure there”)

See also

• I experience a similar effect with the code: I remember code quickly

• Memorization techniques bundle things together to make them easier to remember

• Understanding is the only reliable way to learn

• Taking non-verbatim notes improves conceptual understanding