The key difference between eidetic memory and photographic memory is that eidetic memory is the ability to recall a past scene for a brief period of time with high precision, while photographic memory is the ability to recall a past scene for longer period with high precision.
Eidetic memory and photographic memory are two types of memory in people. Memory is the ability to acquire, store, retain, and retrieve information. There are three main processes involved in memory. They are encoding, storage, and retrieval. Human memory involves the ability to preserve and recover information learnt or experienced over the years. Problems with memory can range from minor annoyances to critical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, which affect the quality of life and ability to function properly.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Eidetic Memory
3. What is Photographic Memory
4. Similarities – Eidetic Memory and Photographic Memory
5. Eidetic Memory vs Photographic Memory in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Eidetic Memory vs Photographic Memory
What is Eidetic Memory?
Eidetic memory is the ability to recall a past scene for a brief period of time with high accuracy after seeing it only once. Generally, eidetic memory is controlled by the posterior parietal cortex of the parietal lobe of the brain. This section of the brain is involved in processing visual stimuli and retaining images for a few short seconds. Moreover, eidetic memory is typically found in young children and is virtually non-existent in adults.
Children possess a greater capacity for eidetic imagery than adults. Eidetic memory has been observed in 2 to 10% of children aged around 6 to 12. It suggests that developmental changes such as acquiring language skills may disrupt the potential for eidetic imagery. However, some adults possess phenomenal memories.
What is Photographic Memory?
Photographic memory is the ability to recall a past scene for a much longer period with high precision. But photographic memory is very rare and difficult to prove. In photographic memory, the person is able to recall the past scenes in detail with great accuracy, like a photograph, for a much longer period. Only a few people have a truly photographic memory. Even people with photographic memories may not retain the memory for a long period of time.
Most photographic memories only last few months. However, there has been debate in modern research and psychology about the existence of photographic memory. Many scientists believe that such a thing is not possible. Although most people would love to have a photographic memory, not everyone is capable of achieving it. However, there are some methods such as using associations and chunking information in memory for training the mind to take and store the mental photographs for future use.
What are the Similarities Between Eidetic Memory and Photographic Memory?
- Eidetic memory and photographic memory are two types of memory in people.
- Both types of memory have the ability to recall visual images.
- These types of memory can be observed only in few individuals.
- The brain controls the mechanisms of both types of memory.
- They have no correlation to any cognitive, neurological, intellectual, or emotional measure.
What is the Difference Between Eidetic Memory and Photographic Memory?
Eidetic memory is the ability to recall an image for a brief period of time with high precision while photographic memory is the ability to recall an image for a much longer period with high precision. So, this is the key difference between eidetic memory and photographic memory. Furthermore, eidetic memory lasts mere seconds or less than seconds, while photographic memory lasts few months.
The following infographic lists the differences between eidetic memory and photographic memory in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Eidetic Memory vs Photographic Memory
Memory is the ability to take in information, store it, and recall it at a later time. Eidetic memory and photographic memory are two types of memory in people. Eidetic memory is the ability to recall an image for a brief period of time with high precision, while photographic memory is the ability to recall an image for a much longer period with high precision. Thus, this is the key difference between eidetic memory and photographic memory.
Reference:
1. “Eidetic Imagery.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
2. “Photographic Memory.” New Scientist.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Gifted Child” (Public Domain) via Public Domain Pictures