The memory palace architect: effect of valence on loci-dependent recall accuracy

Method of loci (MOL) leverages visualizations of familiar spatial environments (memory palaces) to enhance information recall and is heavily utilized by superior memorists. The characteristics of memory palaces used in MOL have not been well-studied. Understanding how memory palace features contribute to memory enhancement may allow us to design optimal palaces. Here, we examined whether memory palace valence influences neutral information recall. We found that participants who applied MOL using a negatively valenced palace (N=33) outperformed participants who applied MOL using a positively valenced palace (N=34) and participants in a non-MOL control group (N=31) on a free-response semantic memory recall test. Furthermore, participants who perceived the negative palace more negatively or positive palace more positively exhibited greater recall accuracy, but overall, the negative group outperformed the positive group. These findings highlight that memory palaces can be constructed to optimize loci-dependent memory accuracy, providing new evidence-based strategies to improve memorization.