Final answer:
Visual aids indeed improve listener memory by providing visual encoding of information, which enhances the retention and recall of verbal information. High-imagery words and concepts are more easily remembered when supported by visual elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Visual aids improve listener memory? This is true. Visual aids, such as images, charts, and graphics, help enhance understanding and retention of information during a presentation. This is because of a concept known as visual encoding, which refers to the encoding of images that can effectively complement verbal information. When information is presented visually, it becomes more distinctive, which aids in memory recall.
Studies by psychologists like Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving have shown that semantic processing, which involves the meaning of words, can improve memory retention. However, adding visual elements can further enhance this effect, as found in experiments where words coupled with visual imagery were more easily remembered than words alone. The visual processing of information helps create stronger, more lasting memories because concrete, high-imagery words are encoded both visually and semantically.
Therefore, using visual aids in public speaking or teaching environments not only clarifies complex ideas but also supports the message being conveyed and improves the audience's ability to remember the information.