Eidetic memory

Big Ben on a rainy evening in London, drawn entirely on the basis of memory by Stephen Wiltshire, a prodigious savant.

Eidetic memory ( /aɪˈdɛtɪk/), commonly referred to as photographic memory, is a medical term, popularly defined as the ability to recall images, sounds, or objects in memory with extreme precision and in abundant volume. The word eidetic, referring to extraordinarily detailed and vivid recall not limited to, but especially of, visual images, comes from the Greek word εἶδος (pronounced [êːdos], eidos, "seen").^[1]

Overview

While a person with photographic memory will precisely recall visual information, a person with eidetic memory is not limited to merely visual recall – theoretically they can recall other aspects of the event including sensory information that is visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory, as well as other dimensions. Most discussions end up conflating eidetic memory with photographic memory, because the discussion tends to shift toward "eidetic imagery" which is basically the portion of eidetic memory that is visual in nature.

One type of eidetic memory as observed in children is typified by the ability of an individual to study an image, for approximately 30 seconds, and maintain a nearly perfect photographic memory of that image for a short time once it has been removed—indeed such eidetickers claim to "see" the image on the blank canvas as vividly and in as perfect detail as if it were still there. Much like any other memory, the intensity of the recall may be subject to several factors such as duration and frequency of exposure to the stimulus, conscious observation, relevance to the person, etc. This fact stands in contrast to the general misinterpretation of the term which assumes a constant and total recall of all events.

Some people who generally have a good memory claim to have eidetic memory. However, there are distinct differences in the manner in which information is processed. People who have a generally capable memory often use mnemonic devices (such as division of an idea into enumerable elements) to retain information while those with eidetic memory remember very specific details, such as where a person was standing, what the person was wearing, etc. They may recall an event with greater detail while those with a different memory remember daily routines rather than specific details that may have interrupted a routine. However, this process is generally most evident when those with eidetic memory make an effort to remember such details.

Also, it is not uncommon that some people may experience 'sporadic eidetic memory', where they may describe some number of memories in very close detail. These sporadic occurrences of eidetic memory are not triggered consciously in most cases.

Exceptional memory agents

Some individuals with autism display extraordinary memory (such as Eidetic memory/photographic memory/identical memory), including those with autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome. Autistic savants are a rarity, but they in particular show signs of spectacular memory. However, most individuals with a diagnosis of autism do not possess eidetic memory.

Synesthesia has also been credited as an enhancement of auditory memory, but only for information that triggers a synesthetic reaction. However, some synesthetes have been found to have a more acute than normal "perfect colour" sense with which they are able to match colour shades nearly perfectly after extended periods of time, without the accompanying synesthetic reaction.

Skeptical views

Much of the current popular controversy surrounding eidetic memory results from an over-application of the term to almost any example of extraordinary memory skill. The existence of extraordinary memory skills is reasonably well-documented, and appears to result from a combination of innate skills, learned tactics, and extraordinary knowledge bases (one can remember more of what one understands than one can of meaningless or unconnected information). Technically, though, eidetic memory means memory for a sensory event that is as accurate as if the person were still viewing, or hearing, the original object or event. Almost all claims of "eidetic memory" fall well outside this narrow definition.^{[citation needed]} A handful of recent studies have suggested that there may be a few, rare individuals who are capable of a limited amount of eidetic recall. This recall is theorized to be essentially 'unprocessed' sensory memory of raw sensory events (i.e. "raw" images devoid of the additional (usually automatic) perceptual processing, which in normal memory inseparably attaches to the image information about the object's identity and meaning). The documented eidetic abilities, however, appear to be far more circumscribed, and far less common than popularly imagined.

The American cognitive scientist Marvin Minsky, in his book The Society of Mind (1988), considered reports of eidetic memory to be an "unfounded myth".^[2]

An example of extraordinary memory abilities being ascribed to eidetic memory comes from the popular interpretations of Adriaan de Groot's classic experiments into the ability of chess Grandmasters to memorize complex positions of chess pieces on a chess board. Initially it was found that these experts could recall surprising amounts of information, far more than non-experts, suggesting eidetic skills. However, when the experts were presented with arrangements of chess pieces that could never occur in a game, their recall was no better than the non-experts, implying that they had developed an ability to organize certain types of information, rather than possessing innate eidetic ability.

Strong scientific skepticism about the existence of eidetic memory was fueled by Charles Stromeyer who studied his future wife Elizabeth, who claimed that she could recall poetry written in a foreign language that she did not understand years after she had first seen the poem. She also could, apparently, recall random dot patterns with such fidelity as to combine two patterns into a stereoscopic image.^[3][4] She remains the only person documented to have passed such a test. However, the methodology of the testing procedures used is questionable (especially given the extraordinary nature of the claims being made)^[5] as is the fact that the researcher married his subject, and that the tests have never been repeated (Elizabeth has consistently refused to repeat them)^[6] raises further concerns. Recently there has been a renewal of interest in the area, with more careful controls and far less spectacular results^{[citation needed]}.

A.R. Luria wrote a famous account, Mind of a Mnemonist, of a subject with a remarkable memory, S. V. Shereshevskii; among various extraordinary feats, he could memorize lengthy lists of random words and recall them perfectly decades later. Luria believed the man had effectively unlimited recall; Shereshevskii is believed by some^[who?] to be a prodigious savant like Kim Peek. He used memorization techniques where he "arranged" objects along a specific stretch of Gorky^{[disambiguation needed ]} Road and went back and "picked" them up one by one. He missed an egg once because he claims he placed it by a white picket fence and did not see it when he went back for it. This is an example of a trained memory rather than an eidetic or photographic memory.^{[citation needed]}

Further evidence on this skepticism towards the existence of eidetic memories is given by a non-scientific event: The World Memory Championships. This annual competition in different memory disciplines is nearly totally based on visual tasks (9 out of 10 events are displayed visually, the tenth event is presented by audio). Since the champions can win lucrative prizes (the total prize money for the World Memory Championships 2010 is US$90,000), it should attract people who can beat those tests easily by reproducing visual images of the presented material during the recall. But, indeed, not a single memory champion has ever (the event has taken place since 1990) reported to have an eidetic memory. Instead, without a single exception, all winners name themselves mnemonists (see below) and rely on using mnemonic strategies, mostly the method of loci.^{[citation needed]}

Claims of eidetic memory

With the questionable exception of Elizabeth (discussed above), as of 2008, no one claiming to have long-term eidetic memory has been able to prove this in scientific tests.^[7] There are a number of individuals with extraordinary memory who have been labeled eidetickers, but many use mnemonics and other, non-eidetic memory enhancing exercises.

Prodigious savants

• Stephen Wiltshire, MBE, a prodigious savant.^[8] He is capable of drawing the entire skyline of a city after a helicopter ride.^[9]
• Kim Peek, prodigious savant and inspiration for the character Raymond Babbit, played by Dustin Hoffman in the film Rain Man.^[10]
• Daniel Tammet, holder of the European record for reciting Pi to 22,514 digits.^[11]
• Paul Jefferys

In popular culture

A short story Funes the Memorious by Jorge Luis Borges tells about a young man Ireneo Funes who remembers perfectly the finest details of everything he has ever perceived, such as entire books and the exact shapes of clouds at a particular moment. However, Funes is incapable of abstraction, and his exceptional and unmanagable eidetic memory becomes a terrible burden. He describe his own memery as a "garbage disposal". In his world, he is left to "nothing but details."

The Cam Jansen series of children's mystery books from the 1980s stars fifth grader Jennifer "Cam" Jansen so nicknamed because of her photographic memory.

In the TV series The X-Files, Special Agent Fox Mulder has an eidetic memory, which aids him in being a top class criminal profiler for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He often uses this skill to remember significant details pertaining to a case, details that may be overlooked by other agents.

In the TV series Monk (TV Series), Detective Adrian Monk has an eidetic memory, which has been shown to exist within him since his early childhood. He uses his perfect memory and vast intellect to solve crimes for the San Francisco Police Deptartment.

In the TV series Criminal Minds, Dr. Spencer Reid has an eidetic memory. This, in addition to superior intellect, aids his character in solving difficult criminal cases.

In the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm, Olive has an eidetic memory.

In the TV series The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper has an eidetic memory. For instance, in "The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary" episode (season 3), while his friends are playing a card game, he remembers exactly all the cards played by each player, recall every card that remains to be drawn, and what cards each player must already have in their hands, and can therefore tell that Penny cannot possibly win, thus ruining the game.

In the TV series Psych, Shawn Spencer has an eidetic memory , which he uses to solve various crimes for the Santa Barbara Police Department.

In the TV series Fringe, Olivia Dunham has an eidetic memory.

In the TV series Suits, Mike Ross has an eidetic memory, he is able to memorize law definitions and use them with ease when put to the test. He hasn't even gone to law school, yet he works in prestigious law firm filled with Harvard Graduates.

In the TV series Kyle XY, Kyle Trager has an eidetic memory, which he uses to paint pictures from memory and perform feats of recollection.

In the TV series Grey's Anatomy, Lexie Grey has an eidetic memory, which is stated to have helped her greatly through her schooling.

In the White Collar (TV series), Mozzie has an eidetic memory, which is mentioned several times as "Perfect Recall". Mozzie uses his ability to recall important events, alphanumeric sequences, quotes and also to graduate in a online law degree and learn many other skills such as coding (Computer Software and Hacking).

In 'The Mentalist', Patrick Jane has an eidetic memory.

In the book The Sixth Man, Edgar Roy has an eidetic memory.

In the BBC TV series 'Sherlock', Sherlock Holmes has been suggested to have an eidetic memory as it seems his perceptions have no filter which enables him to recall many events in great detail that assists him in arriving at startlingly accurate conjectures regarding cases with a proficiency that seems to be nothing sort of apophenia. This has, however, been called into question many times as his memory seems to be remarkably selective as he has forgotten or "deleted" information either consciously or subconsciously that he considers irrelevant. This is evidenced by the fact that he failed to recall if the Earth revolves around the Sun and rationalized this by saying the result makes no difference.

In the TV series Star Trek Voyager, Vis A Vis (Episode 20 season 4) Seven of Nine informs the Tom Paris character that she has Eidetic memory and only requires seconds to lock what she has seen to memory

In the book, "The Lost Symbol,' written by Dan Brown the character by the name of Robert Langdon is claimed to have an eidetic memory. He can recall symbols and their meaning with ease as well as decipher numerous languages and codes. However, Dan Brown only illustrates Langdon's memory as being able to permanently recall visual data. As noted earlier in the article, 'eidetic memory,' is one with the ability to recall all forms of perception; i.e. visual, olfactory, etc.

In the Swedish Millennium series (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo et.al.) by Stieg Larsson (and its accompanying films), the hacker heroine Lisbeth Salander has an eidetic memory.

In the Mass Effect (Series) the character Thane Krios has an eidetic memory.

References

See also

• Exceptional memory – about the scientific background of research on exceptional memory
• Synaptic plasticity
• Autistic savant
• Hyperthymesia – a condition where the affected individual has a superior autobiographical memory
• Mnemonic
• Absolute pitch (perfect pitch) – the ability to differentiate pitches, recall tones in the exact note without aid, and name a certain note played in an instant
• Ayumu, a chimpanzee who outperforms humans in short-term memory tests

External links

• Is there such thing as photographic Memory?