Concept Mapping

• Concept Mapping uses visual aids to improve understanding or recall of concepts, processes, or ideas.
• This technique translates abstract or complex information into visual formats, such as diagrams, charts, or illustrations, enhancing comprehension and memory retention.
• Concept mapping leverages the brain’s efficiency in processing visual information, making it easier to identify relationships, organize thoughts, and synthesize complex ideas.
• While adjacent mitigations like Method of Loci and elaborative encoding operate within the mental space, concept mapping externalizes these strategies into physical or digital formats for greater clarity.

Examples

• Mind Maps:^[1]
  • Creating diagrams that represent relationships between various ideas or concepts, visually organizing them into branches or clusters.
  • Example: Mapping out a project plan, with main goals at the center and related tasks branching outward.
• Flowcharts:
  • Using step-by-step diagrams to represent processes or workflows, reducing the cognitive load of remembering sequences.
  • Example: Designing a flowchart for troubleshooting a technical issue, guiding decisions based on outcomes.
• Infographics:
  • Developing or utilizing visually engaging summaries of data, condensing complex information into digestible formats.
  • Example: Creating an infographic to study key historical events, with dates and events organized into a timeline.
• Sketch Notes:
  • Combining handwritten notes with doodles, arrows, and symbols to capture and summarize information visually.
  • Example: Drawing key points of a lecture alongside simple illustrations that represent concepts.

Discussion

Concept Mapping provides a practical, engaging way to break down complex information into visually digestible formats. It complements elaborative encoding by enriching connections between ideas through vivid visuals and integrates seamlessly with Method of Loci by combining spatial memory techniques with external representation. This approach helps individuals with ADHD navigate abstract or dense material by making the process more intuitive, interactive, and accessible. Concept mapping enhances understanding, supports memory retention, and fosters creativity, empowering individuals to tackle challenges with clarity and confidence.

Sub- and Co-Mitigations

Expressions

Metadata

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Tags

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