she remembers
(Continued from page 3)
quickly, such as a phone number. This
process can handle no more than seven to
nine items, the normal mind's capacity for
quick memory.
Other people are better at long-term
memory, where items are associated with
mental images, words and/or past
experiences. This type of memory can last
forever.
Memory plus knowledge
As for students. Day feels that ,
mastering new material is, based on a
combinatidn of memory and general
knowledge. An important thing is for the
student to know what not to know; to
concentrate on some things and not try to
remember others. It is also important to
build an overall framework for the things
you want to remember.
When asked about the effectiveness of
increase-your-memory courses. Day
didn't discouni them altogether.
"They will help, but they often have
you expend your energy in ways that are
not directly appropriate to the subject
matter."
She says a built-in memory technique
that all humans can use is based on the
"tip of the tongue phenomenon."
"Sometimes a name is on the tip of your
tongue and it is possible to recall it by
rejecting other possibilities," she said. "If
you remember that the name had several
syllables, you can reject all one-syllable
names. Or you may remember the sound
and rhythm of the name. Eventually you
can remember the name itself, although it
may be at 2 a.m. when you are no longer
trying to think of it."
‘Garbage memory'
Are there disadvantages to good
memory?
"Yes," Day said. "If it's too good it can
be a disaster. 'Garbage memory,' which is
unselected and unorganized, can
interfere with normal reasoning
processes. I know of one man who cannot
hold down a job because he remembers
too much. His memory holds him back
intellectually."
Day, whose lecture notes are cued for
memory, offers other professors tips on
how to better remember their lecture
presentations and their students.
"But I don't give away all of my trade
secrets," she said.
Washington to be in spotlight
The federal government will be
discussed during two colloquia on campus
Wednesday.
An official from Washington will
discuss "Government Reorganization
under the Carter Administration" during
the Colloquium on Policy Analysis, and
the Round Table on Science and Public
Affairs will feature a talk on "Innovation
— Washington's New Buzzword."
The Colloquium on Policy Analysis will
be held in Room 101 of the West Campus
Union at 3 p.m.
The speaker, Patricia A. Gwaltney is
deputy associate director for human
resource organization studies in the
office of Management and Budget. She
came to this position from the staff of the
U.S. Senate Budget Committee where
she was principally responsible for policy,
budget and economic analysis of health
care issues.
The Round Table on Science and Public
Affairs will begin at 8:15 p.m. in the Gross
Chemical Laboratory Auditorium.
N. Bruce Hannay, vice president of the
Research and Patents Division of Bell
Laboratories, will speak. George R.
Herbert, president of the Research
Triangle Institute will be the moderator.
Both lectures are open to the public.
NAMES CAN BE GAMES — Dr. Ruth Day remembers the name and in many cases the course
work of nearly ail the 2,000 students she has taught in the past nine years. “They appreciate being
known and they work harder," she has said. IPIwto hy Thail SparksI
SfiPTPILfDr.^
United Way
(Continued from page V
was "proud of the Duke, community and
pleased with the amount generated by
employees."
"We've received almost 104 percent of
the goal," Blake said. "I want to thank
everyone in the medical center and the
university employees who've responded
to the needs of others less fortunate than
they are."
Oct. 31 was the last official report day
for Duke's united way campaign, but
contributions are still welcome. Blake said
contributions should be sent to 614
Chapel Drive.
warch
- v/o£
^3 I, IS ‘J Ji v
^ -T a* « 3° - S 'o
II1123
Jo ^ ’S 36
JO
Nov. 3-10, 1978
The Medical Center Calendar lists lectures, symposia and other activities of interest tofaiuitu, staff and students. Notices should be sent to Box 33 54 no later than one week prior to
publication. If last minute scheduling makes it impossible to send a written notice in time, please call
The medical poster
William Hefland, who has an
international reputation for his
knowledge of prints, drawings and
ephemera, will speak on "The Medical
Poster: An Illustrated Survey" Thursday,
Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. in the Medical Library's
History of Medicine Reading Room.
A senior vice president of Merck, Sharp
and Dohm International, Hefland has
exhibited his collections in London, Paris
and the United States.
He is the author of many articles on the
social history of medicine and of the book,
"Medicine and Pharmacy in American
Political Prints, 1765-1870."
Hefland's lecture is sponsored by the
Josiah C. Trent Society for the History of
Medicine and is open to the public.
Friday, Nov. 3
12:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 6
12 noon
Wednesday, Nov. 8
1 p.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 9
10 a.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
8:30 a.m.
Biochemistry Seminar. Dr. Phillip Robbins, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge, "Synthesis and Processing of Ceil Surface Glycoproteins," Rm 147, Nanaline H. Duke Bidg. Coffee at 12:15 in
the lobby.
Network for Continuing Medical Education (NCME). Program on "The Challenge of Adolescent Medicine." View in Rm
M406 at Duke and Rms D3008, Cb002 and C7002 and Bidg 16 at the VA Hospital. (Previous NCME programs have been
catalogued in the Medical Center Library and are available for viewing there.)
Pathology Research Conference. Dr. Donald B. Hackel, professor, "The Heart in Shock," Rm M204.
NCME. See Fri., Nov. 3, for program and viewing areas.
Rheumatology Symposium. Dr. E. Carwile Leroy, director, Div. of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Univ. of South
Carolina, and Dr. Shaun Ruddy, chairman, Div. of Immunology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical College of
Virginia, will speak. Topics: "Progressive Systemic Sclerosis," "New Methods of Detection of Immune Complexes" and
"Patient Presentations." Hospital Amphitheater.
Colloquium on Policy Analysis. Patricia A. Gwaltney, deputy associate director for human resources organization studies,
Office of Management and Budget, "Government Reorganization under the Carter Administration," Rm 101, West Campus
Union.
Round Table on Science and Public Affairs. N. Bruce Hannay, vice president. Research and Patents Div., Bell Laboratories,
"Innovation — Washington's New Buzzword," Gross Chem Lab aud.
Registration begins for Medical Alumni Weekend, Davison Bidg lobby.
Dedication of the Searle Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences (lower level, Mudd Bidg). '
Dean's Hour. Dr. E. Harvey Estes, professor and chairman. Dept, of Community and Family Medicine, will speak on the
future of primary health care in the United Slates. Searle Center.
Trent Society. William Hefland, senior vice president, Merk, Sharp and Dohm International, "The Medical Poster: An
Illustrated Survey," History of Medicine Reading Rm, Mudd Bidg.
Registration continues for Medical Alumni Weekend. Activities continue through weekend. (See next week's Intercom for
story.)