Topic 4: Remembering Names and Faces - Introduction
The Universal Memory Challenge
Remembering names and faces is probably the most common reason for people wanting to improve their memories, because it is the one case where written notes will really not help. You can jot down a person's name, but how does that help you when it comes to linking it with their face?
Why Name Recall Matters
Many people seem happy to carry on forgetting names, thinking they can always get round it somehow, and who cares anyway? Of course, the person who does care is the one whose name has been forgotten.
Real-World Impact
People like to be called by their names. For example, if you go to a local shop regularly how do you prefer to be addressed - 'Hello Mr/Mrs/Miss so-and-so', 'Hello luv/dear/dearie/', or with a vacant stare? If the shopkeeper has taken the trouble to remember your name, you will probably have a higher opinion of them and possibly be more likely to frequent the shop.
The Memory Master Solution
Most of us recognise faces - it's the names that cause us trouble. After all, have you ever heard someone say 'I know your name, but I don't recognise your face'?
Since we can usually remember faces, the best system to use for remembering names and faces is one where the face actually tells us the name. To do this, you simply need to associate the name to their face.
The Two-Step Process
Picture the Name
Form a mental picture of the name using substitute words and phrases you learned in previous lessons. Transform abstract names into vivid, memorable images.
Link to the Face
Associate that mental picture to the person's distinctive facial features. Create a strong connection between your name-image and their unique appearance.
What You'll Learn Next
Tutorial 4: Name Visualization
Shows you how any surname, however long or complicated, can be pictured using creative visualization techniques and substitute words.
Tutorial 5: Face Association
Demonstrates how to associate a mental picture of a person's name to that person's face, giving you a never-fail system for remembering names and faces.