Final answer:
Jill can best encode her psychology midterm material by using semantic encoding, elaborative rehearsal, and the self-reference effect. Organizing material into patterns and employing distributed practice will further enhance memory retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most effective way for Jill to encode the course material for her psychology midterm would be through semantic encoding, which involves a deeper level of processing than the shallower visual or acoustic encoding. According to psychologists Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving, words that had been semantically encoded were better remembered. Jill can enhance her semantic encoding by linking new information to her existing knowledge or experiences, known as the self-reference effect, which leads to more personal relevance and better memory. Additionally, Jill can employ elaborative rehearsal, where she thinks more deeply about the information by relating it to other data and memories to make it more meaningful. Strategies for effective encoding include organizing material into categories or using flashcards, which can help understand patterns and relationships between the concepts.
Moreover, distributed practice will allow Jill's memories to consolidate more efficiently over time, as opposed to cramming all study material in one session. Regular review and rehearsal of the material in spaced and organized study sessions will also improve retention. In essence, semantic encoding, combined with self-reference effect and distributed practice, are the keys to effective study and long-term memory retention for Jill's psychology midterm.