The Potential of Spatial Computing to Augment Memory: Investigating Recall in Virtual Memory Palaces

The Method of Loci (MoL) is an ancient mnemonic technique rooted in the encoding of spatial context into episodic memory through the use of memory palaces. The increasing availability of consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) headsets has ushered in a new era of research into whether VR technology could be used to support and enhance the construction and navigation of memory palaces, and hence, augment human memory. The current study investigated recall in a traditional mental memory palace, compared to a virtual memory palace with prepopulated objects navigated on a VR headset. Participants were randomly assigned into one of two conditions: building a memory palace using a traditional, imaginative technique or being introduced to a pre-existing and pre-populated virtual memory palace. In each condition, participants were asked to memorize lists of various objects. Results revealed that the use of MoL to memorize the lists improved recall of objects compared to baseline performance, which involved unstructured recall with no mnemonic technique. That said, recall performances were comparable in the VR-based MoL and traditional MoL conditions, indicating that virtual memory palaces are as effective as traditional, imaginative technique, but not more effective. Of note, participants in the VR-based MoL condition reported greater confidence in the effectiveness of the MoL technique, when compared to the traditional MoL condition. For naive users, this increased level of confidence in utilizing the MoL could be a factor when introducing the technique. A virtual memory palace could serve as a structured memory augmentation environment using the MoL, affording a greater ability and motivation to apply the technique mentally in the future. The study highlights the potential of VR-based spatial computing to augment human memory.