The main difference between modern life is the huge flow of information that a person has to deal with almost every day. Many of us need to get acquainted with the assigned tasks and planned plans, speak in front of a large number of people, correctly and beautifully expressing our thoughts to them, engage in training, arousing the interest of our students, etc. However, not every person is able to quickly and completely enter the received data into memory. And very often, in order to remember the necessary information, people use the association method. However, it is not always quite effective. Its disadvantage lies in the fact that this method is suitable only for a small number of objects. But sometimes there is a need to master an arbitrary text of medium length. In this case, the associative technique will not bring the desired result. And then a method that is based on working with images – mnemonics – will come to the rescue. Cicero's method is one such method. It allows you to remember a large amount of information.
Translated from ancient Greek, the word “mnemonics” means “the art of remembering.” As a result of its mastery, a person not only develops his memory, but also gets the opportunity to thoroughly and smoothly present the necessary information, that is, acquire oratory skills.
History of appearance
The Cicero method is named after the statesman of the Roman Republic. Marcus Tullius Cicero went down in history as a famous orator who became famous for his ability to reproduce from memory a large number of historical facts, quotes and dates without using the text of his speeches prepared on paper.
However, a similar technique was used even before Cicero. It was used by the ancient Greek poet Simonides. One day he took part in a magnificent and plentiful meal, which he left before all the guests. After the poet left, the ceiling in the room collapsed. The guests and the owner of the house died. Simonides came to identify the dead and was able to reproduce in his memory the location of each person in the process of celebration.
But no matter who was at the origins of this method, Cicero’s method is today considered one of the most ancient memorization techniques.
Rules for the game Cicero's Algorithm
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The game "Cicero's Algorithm" is one of the most ancient methods to develop memory. It has proven itself to be an intellectual and creative game.
The name of the game came to us from the famous ancient Roman orator Mark Cicero, who had an excellent memory and never wrote anything down, completely relying on his memory.
Even more games for those who like to train their intellect can be found on the “Intellectual Games for Adults” website page.
What is so interesting about a game built on the Cicero algorithm?
Children over 12 years old and adults can play this game. The game “Cicero’s Algorithm” develops a person in various directions:
- You can learn many interesting facts and events from history.
- Learn to remember a large amount of information.
- Use your imagination.
- Develop associative and creative thinking.
Cicero's method teaches analysis of the situation, develops thinking, thereby allowing a deeper assessment of any situation and task
What you need to play “Cicero’s Algorithm”
This is a conversational game - the simplest in terms of selecting equipment and the number of participants. Perfect for “warming up” before a more complex intellectual game. You can play it on the street, at home, in the office. In general, where you can sit on something and not disturb others. All you need is a couple of people and a desire to play this game.
For lovers of conversational games, the description of the game “Words - Inversions” or “Definitions” will also be interesting.
Rules of the game
The rules of the game "Cicero's Algorithm" are quite simple. All participants agree on what they will talk about. But they must adhere to some algorithm: fact - reason - reason - event - analogies - conclusions. Regardless of the chosen topic of the story, it must be based on a certain algorithm.
A prerequisite is to make a so-called “closed circle”, to sit in a circle that equalizes all participants and makes the game psychologically comfortable.
How to become an expert in the game
First of all, you need to create a certain matrix of images. Select images from an area familiar to you to make it easier to memorize the subsequent text.
The simplest thing is to use the environment of the room or place where you are playing and choose a memorization sequence. In this way, an association is made of objects and things, which are then easier to reproduce in memory.
If you want to reproduce a story, you just need to focus on the main, memorable events in that story.
You can turn any thing into some kind of awkward story that is well remembered. The game "Cicero's Algorithm" will allow you to quickly and effortlessly develop your intelligence.
Cicero's method is very simple and universal. Just a couple of training sessions are enough to easily learn this wonderful game. Play, develop and enjoy the game!
The list of entertainment presented on the “Games for Adults” page will help diversify family leisure time or parties with friends. You can also get acquainted with entertainment for people of different ages here “Live Games”.
Causes of poor memory
Why are not all people able to quickly remember a large amount of information? The fact is that each person’s memory has individual characteristics. So, someone can easily, after reading only once, be able to memorize the multiplication table, but at the same time almost immediately forget the name of the person they just met. Other people, on the contrary, are naturally gifted with a good visual memory, but they struggle to learn the most basic rules of the Russian language. What are the causes of memory impairment? There are only five of them. Let's take a closer look at them.
How neural connections are formed
We are born with many neurons, but few connections between them. Neural connections are formed as we interact with the world around us, making us who we are.
Sometimes there is a desire or need to modify already formed connections. It seems that since once in childhood they were formed without much effort, then now it will be as easy as shelling pears. But if an adult does not constantly work on creating them, then it will be more difficult to perceive and remember new data. New nerve chains are not as strong as old ones, and they break down faster.
Source: giphy.com
Inattention
Another reason for poor memory is low concentration on the data received. Today, modern people are bombarded with a huge flow of information every day. This simply does not give him the opportunity to delve into the data received. Sometimes people, without even understanding the essence, do not strive to put into practice the information they have received. And this, unfortunately, becomes a habit. Also, the productivity of a person is negatively affected by the simultaneous performance of several tasks.
Other reasons
It is worth noting that nature does not give us a good memory. It is a skill that requires development. Its level is affected by poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency and oxygen starvation of the body. The real scourge of modern man – depression – also negatively affects memory. With such a state of health, it is hardly possible not only to remember newly received information, but also to reproduce already familiar information.
That is why each of us should include healthy food in our diet, constantly take walks in the fresh air, exercise, take an active lifestyle and not give in to depression.
Hard work
The fame of the statesman and orator Cicero spread throughout the country and throughout the world literally at the speed of light. His talent for delivering speeches is still held up as an example to our contemporaries. So, was the ability to speak in front of a huge audience without notes or prompts his gift or painstaking work to develop the skill of memorization? Without any doubt, hard work, the implementation of which is accessible to everyone.
Having mastered the Cicero method, anyone can easily retain phrases, words, numbers, dates and other information in their memory. However, in order to achieve such a result, a huge amount of daily work will be required. In other words, Cicero's memory training should be done every day.
The essence of the method
What is the main meaning of this method? Memorization using the Cicero method involves creating a matrix of images. They subsequently allow large amounts of data to be recorded in memory, and not just one of the text fragments.
Memorization according to Cicero's method consists of identifying key pieces of information, which are then mentally arranged in a certain order in a well-known room, for example, in a room in your own home. During the performance, it is enough to remember in all the details the interior created in the imagination and reproduce it for the audience.
Cicero himself did the same. Before each speech, he walked through the many rooms of his house, “arranging” the important ideas of his future speech in various places in the rooms he knew well. This allowed the speaker to brilliantly remember the text.
Practical task
Let's look at an example of how, using the Roman room system, you can remember a list of words: plasticine, bicycle, backpack and bottle. We arrange the listed things around the house in such a way that they catch the eye, stand out, or are in the wrong position or place. We turn the bike over and put it under the hanger, we hang the backpack on the door, we put the bottle on the nightstand and put flowers in it, and we cover the mirror in the hallway with plasticine.
This arrangement creates non-standard associations in our heads and will be remembered for a long time.
In practice, Cicero's method is used for more complex and serious problems. Using it, you can also remember phone numbers strictly according to the list, numbers with many characters, a shopping list, and put away playing cards that come out of the game.
Initial stage of work
Cicero's method of memorization is to use mnemonics. In order to reproduce his speech in strict sequence, the speaker divided the text of the speech into parts, preparing each of them in one of his chambers. Before going out into public, Cicero took a mental walk through the rooms, following a certain route. All this helped him remember exactly that part of the speech that he was preparing in a particular room.
Before you start working with the text, you will need to read it and find out what it is about. Next, all information should be divided into several parts that carry their own semantic meaning.
How to pave the Cicero road and build a Roman room
Step one - choose a room/path
the path you know well
Unlike Cicero's method, the Roman room is a room you are familiar with
(again, real or imagined), as in the memory palace.
The main difference between a Roman room and a memory palace is that here you must not just be in some room/building, but walk along it along a clearly laid out route
. For example, imagine your own room and move around it clockwise (or counterclockwise), take the “route” that you take when returning home from work: putting your keys on the shelf, hanging up your jacket, taking off your boots...
Step two - tie the images to the reference points
Just like in the memory palace, mark certain key points along your path, the so-called reference images. For the Cicero method, this could be a bus stop, a tent, an interesting building or other remarkable object; for a Roman room, this could be furniture and interior items of the room. The next step is to attach a directly memorized sequence (facts or thoughts) to the reference points through vivid visual images. But before you start tying, walk along the route several times, marking all selected points along the way. Start placing objects only when you have a clear orientation along the route and can easily name all the control points.
associations along the Cicero road and the Roman room should be those that are closer to you
If you are not sure that you will be able to master this mnemonic technique or that the results may not be as good, check out Joshua Foer's talk “Feats of memory anyone can do.”
Walking around the premises
Next, according to Cicero’s method, you need to remember each of the highlighted sections of information. Moreover, this must be done in different rooms of your house or apartment. The order in which they are followed must be strictly defined. For example, from the hallway you need to go to the bathroom, from there you need to go to the toilet, then go to the kitchen, go through the living room, visit the nursery and finish your route in the bedroom. In this case, the text must be reproduced taking into account the sequential presentation of all its parts. And to better remember specific information, you will need to mentally walk around each of the rooms. At the same time, specific data should be placed in its certain places, which can later be easily reproduced. To begin with, just as the author of the technique himself did, it is recommended to walk around the room and mentally arrange all the necessary elements in it. Only a few such trainings will be needed. After this, a person easily begins to reproduce the image of the room in his memory, mentally remembering all the objects that are in it.
The Cicero method is based on the principle of spatial imagination, and to use it most effectively it is important to maintain a sequence of movements around the room. The route, for example, can be laid clockwise or in the direction from one wall to another. There is no need to complicate your task when using Cicero’s method. To remember information, you need to choose a room that has already been studied quite well.
Instead of a house or apartment, for example, an office can be chosen. You can also use the road to the nearest store or to work. A system of images can also be created on an imaginary path. This will allow you to remember any amount of information, since such a path simply has no end. Another option is to create an imaginary room. Its interior can be chosen in accordance with your own wishes and taste. There is no need to limit your imagination. After all, the room exists only in the imagination and in thoughts.
Tips for remembering information
Regardless of the technique you choose, it is important to understand the method and practice it as often as possible. Professionals in the field of mnemonics shared the secrets of working using the Cicero method:
- You need to use only interesting connections, rich in emotions. Remember that the ordinary and uninteresting are quickly forgotten. Use paradox, satire and humor to create your own matrix.
- Use erotic imagery. It is no secret that it is precisely such images that enter our brain especially clearly in the form of signals. By the way, marketers claim that advertising posters with a beautiful sexy girl are perceived and remembered better.
- Change the characteristics of objects on the path/room/terrain. For example, let the window be airy and the chair be prickly.
- Paradoxize the characteristics of objects. Don't put your pajamas in the closet, but put your pajamas in the closet.
- All guidelines are for yourself: carry a notebook in your pocket, tie the TV to your hand.
- Change the shape and size of objects. As in the example with the closet and pajamas.
As a result, you should end up with the following mental path (story), as an example:
Having opened the window, I noticed a CURTAIN stuck in the window sash. Next, I noticed scattered CARDS on the sofa, they were wet
There was apricot sour cream on the cabinet, with a BIRD sitting in it. There was a PACKAGING on the TV, and in it sat a puppy with his MOUTH open. A HAIRDRYER standing on a TAMBO was tied to his paw. On the pouf stood a small BOOK with a picture of a half-naked erotic brunette, at whose feet stood a SPEAKER.
To successfully reproduce using Cicero’s method, you should once again bypass the selected system and remove the above-mentioned objects. Just? Certainly. However, this requires thoughtful study of those words that you have already memorized. Then, do it yourself without using any hints. We believe that you will succeed!
Method demonstration
Using Cicero's method of memorization for children, you can use fairy tale plots with them. For example, working with the well-known “Kolobok” to all of us is as follows:
1. The text is divided into six semantic parts, each of which should be presented in the form of an image: flour - a bun rolling along the road - a bunny - a wolf - a shaggy bear - a little fox-sister who eats a bun. In Cicero's method of spatial imagination, such images are auxiliary. They are needed to encode the information that needs to be remembered. But the image of the place itself, which already exists in our memory and is well known to us, is called “reference” in mnemonics.
2. In the mental combination of auxiliary images created in the imagination - flour and a bun on the road, a hare, etc. with supporting ones, which will serve as the kitchen and living room, bathroom and other rooms. So, the flour is in the kitchen. A bun rolls along the way to the living room. The hare is sitting in the bathroom, and the wolf is in the toilet. The bear can be found in the nursery, but on the balcony the fox is eating a kolobok.
3. In repeating a fairy tale using mental images, which will allow you to remember the plot, supporting images and sequence of events.
Usage example
Let's look at a clear example of how to use Cicero's technique for memorizing information.
Let's take ten words necessary for memorization (numbers, events, speech points, foreign words). For example, these will be the following words: curtain, postcard, bird, sour cream, packaging, mouth, hair dryer, tambourine, book, speaker. You need to set them for specific objects of the selected system (for example, a room). Next, let's move on to the next level of the task. Take a sheet of paper, a pencil and write down all the objects in the room
It doesn't matter how many there are. The main thing is that they create “niches” for our matrix
In addition, you should remember their location and in what order they are located. An approximate list of items in the room: window, sofa, wardrobe, TV, pouf, floor lamp, armchair, bookcase, shelf, piano, stove, rug and more. The third thing is to connect the words from paragraph 2 with places with a list of points to remember.
Advantages of the method
The above examples of Cicero's method give an idea of its use. However, it is worth keeping in mind that this method allows you to solve more complex problems. This could be, for example, memorizing the text of a speech, educational material, the order of making phone calls, a plan for the day, etc.
The positive side of Cicero's method of spatial imagination is that the reproduced material will be a logical, connected text, and not just a collection of random words. At the same time, it is possible to reuse the same room in imagination. The main points will not mix with each other. It is not difficult for a person to recall data on a certain topic.
Another advantage of the Cicero method is the ease of its development. Just a few training sessions are enough and you can use this method anywhere. In this case, you won’t have to come up with associations and spend a long time restoring their chain. It is enough just to remember a familiar room or carefully examine the room in which a person is currently located.
The effectiveness of quick memorization techniques
When information is difficult to comprehend and time is limited, rational memorization techniques come to the rescue. Having mastered them, a person can work with any material in a short time.
As the most effective, we can offer techniques that have proven themselves in mnemonics.
For example, a technique such as text rhyming is widely used when creating advertising. Everyone knows that rhyming phrases of advertising, regardless of a person’s desire, are etched into the memory and remain there for a long time. The same can be done with any material.
Therefore, when a person is faced with important, but illogical, difficult-to-remember information, you can rhyme it
A classic example is the rhyme when learning eleven verbs of exclusion (drive, breathe, hold, offend, hear, see, hate, and also twirl, look, and depend, and endure).
Similarly, an invented rhyming phrase is used to help in the study of cases: “Ivan chopped the wood, Varvara lit the stove.” Similarly, you can rhyme the rules of the Russian language: “I can’t bear to get married.”
Other methods of memorization are just as relevant. For example, the abbreviation technique is often used to better remember various unrelated objects. Everyone knows the popular phrase when studying the colors of the rainbow.
The technique of memorizing using abbreviations is useful in that it allows not only to shorten long phrases, but also to fix them for a long time in the mind, for example, when naming government, educational institutions or scientific concepts: university, sopromat, traffic police, hydroelectric power station, Unified State Examination.
To create your own abbreviation, you can come up with a simple, meaningful sentence, all the words of which will begin with the first letters of the words you remember.
In psychology, it is believed that classical techniques for memorizing information are optimal - pictograms, associations, active repetition.
The technology of the pictogram method is built on the principle of highlighting keywords, for which an image is then invented. When sketching it, a visual association arises. No artistic skills are required here, just the pictogram should remind you of a key expression or word.
Associations are a time-tested memory technology where a connection is established between objects. It is actively used for people of any age. The essence of this method of memorization is that when one object appears in the mind, another is remembered.
Associations can be of different types, for example, chains, associative links, “matryoshka”. Their selection depends on the content of the material being memorized.
This memorization technique can be used when working on a sequence of words, when recording numbers, phone numbers, dates.
Sometimes there are difficulties in making connections between objects. Then experts recommend creating the most unusual, even absurd connections, which are even better remembered.
The technique of active repetition involves repeated reproduction of already memorized material. The acquired knowledge is reproduced mentally or orally only from memory in order to preserve it for a long time, perhaps forever. An example would be poetic lines, rules, theorems, anecdotes, retrieved from memory at every opportunity. In the same way, you can use active repetition for any material.
By nature, man is given memory, which cannot be considered perfect. But in order to actively use acquired knowledge, retain it in memory, and ensure that it becomes systematic and deeper, special work is needed to develop memorization skills. Having acquired knowledge, calling on imagination and thinking, everyone can come up with techniques that make it easier to memorize information.
