The Mnemic Effects of P. I. Zinchenko

A review of major works on the psychology of memory by P. I. Zinchenko is presented. Some little known facts of his biography are analyzed. Theoretical studies and experimental research results of P. I. Zinchenko allow considering this scientist to be one of the founders of activity approach to cognitive processes. The original techniques were developed and fundamental mnemonic effects were empirically examined due to a high heuristic potential of this approach. The same effects were independently "reopened" much later in cognitive psychology (including the generation effect and the depth of processing effect).