Eidetic memory (from the ancient Greek “eidos” is translated as “image”) is expressed in the preservation of extremely bright, colorful, detailed images of objects after they ceased to be visible (audible, tangible). The eidetic does not reproduce the image of the object in memory, but as if continues to see it. The duration of such a vision is about a minute, in rare cases - up to ten minutes. Scientists believe that such a perception of data and objects greatly increases human capabilities, many techniques for developing memory involve eidetic techniques.
To some extent, the eidetic memory is similar to hallucinations, however, if the hallucinating person is convinced of the reality of visible images, then the eidetic realizes the unreality of the image. Both its appearance and its decay are spontaneous. Perhaps that is why eidetism is not found in all people, because it is impossible to call up an eidetic image by willpower. Consequently, eidetic memory lies somewhere between representation and sensation.
Most often, this phenomenon occurs in children, decreases with age, and only a few adults note this ability.
Studies of eidetic memory in children were conducted in Europe in the 1st half of the 20th century.
In Russia, its mechanisms were investigated by L.S. Vygotsky. It was found that this phenomenon was more often noted in those classes where visual aids were used to a greater extent at the lessons , theology was taught, the children were more friendly. Where children were taught analytics, made of them "little adults", there were practically no cases of eidetism. Some researchers linked this phenomenon with low intelligence.
Let us recall how the protagonist of the autistic B. Levinson's film “The Rain Man” remembered by heart all the numbers of the telephone directory and the combination of cards in the casino. This hero has a real prototype!
How to develop and maintain your memory? Experts recommend mnemonics and eidotechnics, known in ancient Greece.
To begin with, it should be understood that the development of human memory is directly related to attention. Are you an attentive person? Do you notice the little things? For the development of eidetic memory, it is worth using exercises to remember an image or picture. Start by “taking pictures” of simple pictures. Mathematical formulas also work - look at them for a minute, and then try to reproduce. Complicate pictures and formulas over time.
Very effective eidetic memory is trained with paired cards. To get started, prepare four pairs of cards, mix and place them face up. Study the big picture for some time, trying to remember
Seen, then turn over the cards.
Opening them one at a time, try to remember where the pair lies for this card. The number of your attempts should decrease over time.
Many methods of memorization are based on associations, that is, what should be remembered, attached, or correlated with the already known.
Medieval students, for example, unable to buy books because of their high cost, imagined subject cities - mathematicians, physicists, chemistry, and walked around them in their imagination.
And finally. Different types of memory may dominate in different people - visual, auditory, motor. When working on improving your memory, it’s worth using those that you have less developed.