Total Count

Subscribe Us

What is Photographic memory

 

What is Photographic memory 

Photographic memory, also known as eidetic memory, is the ability to vividly recall visual images, sounds, or other sensory experiences with great precision, even after only brief exposure. People with this ability can mentally "see" a page of text, a photograph, or a scene as if they are looking at it, long after it has been removed from their sight.

Key Points:

  1. Accuracy: It involves the retention of visual details with extraordinary accuracy.
  2. Not Common: True photographic memory is extremely rare, and most claims are anecdotal.
  3. Short Duration: In cases of true eidetic memory, the detailed recall typically lasts for seconds to minutes.
  4. Different from Memorization: It's distinct from techniques like mnemonics or trained memory, which involve active effort to encode and retrieve information.

Despite its allure, many scientists argue that photographic memory as popularly understood may not exist, and most examples are closer to exceptional visual recall or highly developed memory skills.