Speed Reading and Memory Glossary

A learning strategy that involves retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it.

Grouping individual items of information into larger meaningful units to reduce cognitive load and increase processing efficiency.

The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory during learning, which must be managed to avoid overload.

Allan Paivio's theory that information encoded in both verbal and visual forms is retained better than information encoded in a single format.

Creating meaningful associations between new information and existing knowledge to deepen processing and improve recall.

The principle that memory retrieval is most effective when the context at recall matches the context at encoding.

The pause between saccades where the eyes are relatively still and visual information is processed, typically lasting 200-250 ms in reading.

Ebbinghaus's model showing that memory retention decays exponentially over time, with the steepest decline in the first 24 hours.

A study strategy that mixes different topics or problem types within a single session rather than focusing on one topic at a time.

The practice of using a finger, pen, or pointer to guide the eyes along text to maintain pace and reduce regression.

A mnemonic strategy that uses spatial memory by associating items with specific locations along a familiar route.

A visual note-taking technique using radial diagrams with branches, colors, and images to organize information around a central concept.

A memory aid that uses patterns, associations, acronyms, or imagery to make information easier to encode and retrieve.

The area around the fixation point from which useful information can be extracted during reading, typically 3-4 characters to the left and 14-15 to the right in English.

The tendency to better remember items presented at the beginning of a sequence, attributed to greater rehearsal and encoding into long-term memory.

The tendency to better remember items presented at the end of a sequence, attributed to their presence in working memory.

Backward eye movements during reading that return the gaze to previously read text, slowing overall reading speed.

Rapid Serial Visual Presentation, a technique displaying words one at a time at a fixed screen location to eliminate eye movements.

A rapid eye movement that shifts fixation from one point to another during reading; visual information is not processed during the movement itself.

A learning technique that schedules review sessions at increasing intervals over time to optimize long-term retention.

The phenomenon whereby learning is more effective when study sessions are spaced apart in time rather than concentrated into a single session.

A structured reading method consisting of Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review, designed to improve comprehension and retention.

The internal speech process of silently pronouncing words while reading, which limits reading speed to near speaking pace.

The research finding that retrieving information through practice tests strengthens memory more effectively than re-studying.

The limited-capacity cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information during complex tasks.