Most people have heard about individuals who can remember long lists of numbers, equations and pages of text while observing them for a only few minutes. These individuals are said to have photographic memories or eidetic memory. In the strictest sense, eidetic memory means having the capability of remembering detailed information about a complex image with great accuracy. These individuals are able to recall mental images in their minds as if they were looking at a photograph. This type of memory is highly controversial and if it exists is extremely rare in the population. Most of us are visual in our learning and in fact it is our strongest sense as humans however, this is not eidetic memory.
On this phenomenon there has been studies for over a hundred years making use of many experimental models to test if it really exists. Individuals who have exceptional memories have been tested only to find that they do not have photographic memories. Most of the studies have demonstrated that these individuals are good at processing large quantities of information but not producing the actual picture of what they were recalling. Most of these individuals were making use of learned information and organizing the new information based on that.
This is making use of some form of mnemonic device. With a little bit of training, we all have this ability. Most of the eidetic memory testing has had questionable designs so the results are inconclusive. Other reports of eidetic memory are by people who believe they have photographic memories and are not substantiated.
Perhaps you had the opportunity to see the movie Rain Man. The movie was based on a man named Kim Peek who had special abilities despite his low IQ and mental problems. He had Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome (FG syndrome) that is a genetic abnormality that is associated with the X chromosome. This person as facial deformities, large thumbs, big toes and flat feet along with brain malformations. He had the ability to read quickly. Kim learned the Portuguese language in about an hour. He was able to recite many books even many years later with incredible accuracy. It is reported that his mental library contained some 12,000 books. Amazing!
Even though many studies have been conducted to elucidate eidetic memory, very little is known about it. More often then not it has been associated with individuals who have mental abnormalities. This can be seen in autistic savants and FG syndrome. It is believed that eidetic memory is mostly found in children but is lost as they mature. One theory has it that as children develop verbal skills this interferes with eidetic imagery and they begin to lose this ability. Only further testing over time will tell if eidetic memory is real.
To learn more about eidetic memory visit http://www.photographicmemorynow.com
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i think one of my brothers has aspects of an eidetic type memory - when he recalls something --say from childhood-he says he recalls every aspect of that scene --including the feel of the fabric , the sounds ,smells and even what channel the tv was tuned to and what program was playing on tv--to everything thing a person in the scene was wearing right down to the color of their socks...
ReplyDeleteone time he met a guy he had not seen since 1976 when he was 14y/o and met the guy and his wife at a family xmas gathering. he then described to the guy everything that guy was wearing and what the guys wife was wearing exactly --down to the color of his shoes and socks....the man was quite surprised .
also , my other brother has a friend who does have and eidetic memory --re remembers everything --has several college degrees and a PhD . My brother told him it must be neat to have a true eidetic memory . His friend said --sometimes can be a problem because it can be a bit difficult to remember things in the right context. I think eidetic folks are out there ---most of them lead quiet lives and share their gift with very few (or no) other people.
DeleteI memorized all the data on my wifes credit card to long term memory in 5-7 seconds just for convenience . she was surprised. did not believe it at first ..She never knew i could do that kind of stuff --never told her before, because it is 'normality ' for me ---for me it is nothing special .... i think most eidetic folks probably feel the same way .