The Photographic Memory :: Myth, Legend, Fact Or Fiction

By Author: Shannon Panzo
Total Articles: 8
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The Photographic Memory

the Truth is Out There…

What exactly is the “photographic memory”?

The elusive photographic memory; ever experienced it? Chances are you may have come across it in grandiose Hollywood films and television shows. Furthermore, the photographic memory is expressed in such a way that it seems both superhuman and abnormal!

The apex of the photographic memory experience has been portrayed accurately by characters such as:

Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory”
Will Hunting from “Good Will Hunting”
Mike Ross from “Suits”
…and many more

You know, writers may be writing for fiction but they are heavily influenced by real life events that shape their work. They also have the power to release material that is inaccurate; only to be aired. Not only is the photographic memory, itself, is one of those real life events its also one of those inaccuracies that writers write about!

Believe it or not….The phenomenon that looks to good to be true…is indeed true. Even worst, the name ‘photographic’ itself is wrong. At best, it’s inaccurate, and at worst it is deceptive.

The actual, technical and medical term for it is…the Eidetic Memory.

Photographic Memory vs. Eidetic Memory

Despite two different names, if there is a correct term for this real and amazing memory then why on earth is it expressed wrong?

The answer lies with people’s personal experiences with visual learning, i.e. seeing and absorbing information via their eyes. Considering that permanent and verbatim recall of information is a classic function of eidetic memory, the ‘photographic’ metaphor was created as to identify with that type of flawless recall and the name stuck.

In both real and scientific terms, the eidetic memory does not rely upon visual input but uses the remaining senses of the human body as well.

Therefore the term ‘photographic’ is used interchangeably but loosely.

The Scientific view?

The typical view in mainstream science is that it does not exist at all and it is a myth. Take for example, Joshua Foer’s article in the magazine, Slate, he promotes the myth theory by downplaying past examples of people but without citing any evidence that that perpetuates his views. (slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2006/04/kaavya_syndrome.2.html)

One of those is exceptional people is Stephen Wiltshire, an autistic artist with a vivid photographic memory, that accurately draws stunning city landscapes purely from memory alone. The accuracy in his illustrations is flawless he has been awarded an MBE for his works. (dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223790/Autistic-artist-draws-18ft-picture-New-York-skyline-memory.html)

Such feats do not lie only with Autism. Recently, an ordinary policeman featured on the news used his ‘photographic’ memory to identify and capture hundreds of criminals over the last five years purely from memorizing them from faces on wanted posters.

(huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/29/andy-pope-photographic-memory-pcso_n_3519213.html)

Many stories like those above provide a basis that the eidetic memory does indeed exist, contradicting many of the standard scientific views.

Psychologists wrestle with this subject in the laboratory and have established the existence of Eidetic Imagery (EI), in which they conclude that some people, mainly children, have this ability. The after-image of something they have seen is embedded, or retained, with vivid detail like an image in their minds. (theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/14/truth-about-memories-jarrett)

Read More : http://mindtomind.com/photographic-memory-myth-legend-fact-fiction-eidetic/

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I am an Executive Instructor of Brain Management. Brain Management teaches you a range of mind enhancing techniques, primarily how to tap into and control your own vast potential locked in your subconscious mind. My students / clients discover the way to learn how to learn naturally and the key to unlocking your unlimited potential. For More Info : Visit Here : https://mindtomind.com