1) Without explicit reference to a particular source, define “memory” as it pertains to human cognition.

            I believe memory is the ability to learn something new and remember it for an extended period of time after being exposed to it over a short period of time.

2) Quoting a particular source, define “memory” as it pertains to human cognition.

            1 a : the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms b : the store of things learned and retained from an organism's activity or experience as indicated by modification of structure or behavior or by recall and recognition                       

            Source: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

3) What is a “mnemonic device”?

            A mnemonic device is a device that is used to help somebody remember something they are supposed to be learning.

4) Give an example of a mnemonic device.

            An example of a mnemonic device is an acronym.

5) Define an effective, efficient, inoffensive, and fun process by which n people might learn each other’s name, where n is something like 15!

            A good way to remember a group of 15 people’s names is to use grouping and acronyms. Assuming this is on a first name bases, you would have to first start with a collection of everybody’s names. From there you would separate the 15 names into groups that you could properly make into acronyms. An ideal group number for this exercise would be either a five or three. Then from the groups you have created you would want to make an acronym from them. As an example I will use a grouping of three names to create an acronym with three letters. The three names I have selected are Tom, Scott, and Dan. The first three letters of their names will be taken and arranged in a way that is easy to remember. For instance the combination of DST isn’t the easiest to remember but if you were to combine the letters to form the acronym STD it wouldn’t be difficult to remember. In fact if you used the acronym STD I think the majority of the class would try to avoid Dan, Scott, and Tom out of fear on contracting herpes.