How To Get People To Remember What You Say

What was that last thing your friend told you yesterday? If you can’t recall the conversation, you’re not alone.

People don’t remember what they hear as well as what they see or touch, according to researchers at the University of Iowa, who published their findings in PLOS ONE. They exposed more than 100 undergraduates at the university to sounds, visuals and things they could touch. Although the students’ memories declined for all three over time, the drop was both greater and quicker for the audio experiences.

So if you want people to remember what you’re saying, you might want to include a visual or hands-on cue, the researchers suggest.