Is a Photographic Memory a Myth or Simply Confused with A Eidetic Memory?

There is plenty of debate about whether the concept of a photographic memory even exists and many so-called experts often confuse someone’s claim of having one with eidetic memory. Perhaps because of the misnomer of photographic memory some researchers believe that people who have the ability to remember small details are claiming to have total recall that lasts more than two or three minutes.

A test for eidetic memory was devised to test the concept of a photographic memory - in that a person is given 30 seconds to scan an image. The image is then removed and the person attempts to recreate the image in their mind and relate what they see. Very few individuals have been able to repeat the image in clear detail and after a few minutes could only offer a rough outline. Based on these types of tests these researchers are claiming that photographic memory is a myth.  However what is really being tested in these tests is an eidetic memory not a photographic memory.

Despite the conclusions drawn by these experts there are numerous people who have demonstrated that photographic memory is very real and very possible.  While at the same time demonstrating the an eidetic memory isn't as viable a concept.  The basic theory is that people have enhanced memory capabilities enabling them to remember things longer that most instead of actually taking a picture with their brain.

Memory Traits Can Be Expanded

The idea of someone having a photographic memory is more dominant in children who can often recall something they have seen in vivid detail. Unfortunately as they grow older outside influences disrupt the memory process replacing the older images (or memories) with new thoughts or visions. It is believed that adults have too many interruptions in their daily lives to effectively collect information in their “mind’s eye” to be able to store enough detail in their memory.

There are numerous resources that can help individuals capitalize on their memory abilities and train themselves to have a virtual photographic memory. Memory courses have been around for several years to help people with recall of important information such as names and dates and through this training develop what is sometimes termed as a photographic memory.

Those who claim to have an eidetic memory (the ability to recall an image in detail after seeing it only once) are extremely rare while those with what they believe to be a photographic memory can recall detailed information as though they were actually looking at the information embedded in their brain. It is presumed their expanded memory capabilities allow them to form an image of the information they are trying to recall.

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series to improve your photographic memory: Ways of Improving Memory