Picture superiority effect
Memory effect
The tendency to remember pictures better than words. One explanation is that an image gets stored both as a picture and as a label, which gives memory two ways to find it.
In everyday life
Shoppers remember a brand's logo long after they have forgotten its slogan.
A week after reading a safety leaflet, you've forgotten all its written tips but can still see in your mind the drawing of a person lifting a box with bent knees.
Why your mind does this
Unusual, funny, emotional, or personal things often signal something that matters, such as a threat, an opportunity, or information about ourselves. Giving them extra attention and a stronger place in memory helps us learn fast from rare or important events.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Stands out
How to spot it
Ask yourself whether you are recalling the facts that mattered or just the ones that came with a strong image.
What you can do
Use it on purpose: sketch a simple drawing or diagram of whatever you want to remember.
Same family: Stands out
- Bizarreness effect
- Humor effect
- Von Restorff effect
- Picture superiority effect
- Self-relevance effect
- Negativity bias
SourcesPaivio & Csapo (1973)·Wikipedia