The document discusses the concept of chunking as it relates to memory. It explains that George Miller proposed that humans can only retain about 7 items in short-term memory but can boost retention by grouping items into larger categories or chunks. This process of chunking information into a hierarchical schema allows the brain to efficiently store and retrieve large datasets. The document then provides an example where a string of random numbers is harder to memorize than when they are grouped into meaningful date ranges, demonstrating how chunking aids long-term memory.

1. Memory Test UBC
ETEC 512
ETEC 512
Please memorize this string of numbers:

2. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Please memorize this string of numbers:
1 – 914 – 191 – 81 – 93 – 919 – 4 – 5
Take no more than 20 seconds.
Now go to the next page...

3. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Chunking
In the 1950’s, George A. Miller introduced the concept of “chunking”.
Miller argued that our brains can only retain a limited amount
of information (seven items, plus or minus two) in short-term
memory. However, we can boost retention if we can “chunk” a
number of items into a larger category.
Implicit in this approach was the assumption that the brain
stores information in a hierarchy, and can retrieve a large data set
by referencing a category in that hierarchy.
Other theorists have refered to this hierarchy of information as a
“schema”.

4. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Do you remember the string of numbers?
Can you say them out loud?

5. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Here they are again:
1 – 914 – 191 – 81 – 93 – 919 – 4 – 5
N0w here they are arranged a little differently:
1914 – 1918 1939 – 1945

6. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Please memorize this string of numbers:
1 – 914 – 191 – 81 – 93 – 919 – 4 – 5
1914 – 1918 1939 – 1945
They are the same numbers.
The difference is that the top string is data.
The bottom string is information (i.e. “in formation”).
The bottom string is “chunked” according to a schema, allowing
us to memorize it almost instantly.

7. ETEC 512
Memory Test
Examining the brain
This exercise was created
by Thom Quine