Drawing effect is more for memory retention than writing effect

Toronto: As retention of new information typically declines as people age, drawing may make it easier to remember than writing it down, a new study has found. The study showed that even if people weren’t good at it, drawing, as a method to help retain new information, was better than re-writing notes, visualization exercises or passively looking at images. “We found that drawing enhanced memory in older adults more than other known study techniques,” said co-author Melissa Meade from the University of Waterloo.

“We’re really encouraged by these results and are looking into ways by which it can be used to help people with dementia, who experience rapid declines in memory and language function,” Meade added. The researchers believe that drawing led to better memory when compared with other study techniques because it incorporated multiple ways of representing the information — visual, spatial, verbal, semantic and motoric. (IANS)

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