elaborative rehearsal

n. A term that is used to identify a method of facilitating the transfer of information from brief storage in short-term memory into permanent long-term memory. Specifically, this method requires people to associate new information with information that is already in long-term memory. Making these associations requires effortful thought, which allows for the creation of strong, durable memories in contrast to rote memorization. This type of rehearsal also creates a great variety of cues that one can use to retrieve a memory at a later time. An example of elaborative rehearsal is the examination of the actual meanings of the words in a word list rather than reliance solely on the rehearsal of the sound or spelling of the words.

Aside from formulating associations, there are additional techniques that are used for elaborative rehearsal. These include the creation of mnemonic devices, such as forming acronyms that make it easier to transfer information into long-term memory, which in turn, creates strong and durable memories that are easy to retrieve. Moreover, one can organize new information by incorporating it in a related group of concepts or into a story based upon prior knowledge that is stored in long-term memory.     

- jlg