CapabilityC5

Psychology of Chunking

We find it easier to process information when it is split into smaller parts.

Strategy card · Simplify24 Pathways

The research

Miller's 'chunking' theory suggests that the magic number 7 (plus or minus 2) is the average amount of data a person can store in the short-term memory. To get people to remember more, the data needs to be 'chunked' into smaller parts. Short-term memories can recall about 7 words, but participants can recall almost 28 words when grouped into 4 categories with 7 similar words in each group.

Miller (1956). Some limits on our capacity for processing information

Never be intimidated by what seems ominous, for big is only an accumulation of many smalls.

Thought starters

Break information or actions with clear headlines into smaller baby steps

Provide positive reinforcement to reward people for every step completed along the way to the next step

Try combining with (M3) Goal-gradient effect.