I want you to think about all those times you have been told to memorize something. Throughout school, college and even at work. Sometimes our memory is awesome. For example, when you have not heard the song in years but you still know the lyrics. But let us be honest, sometimes our memory fails. For example, when you get introduced to someone, they tell you their name and then you immediately forget it. «Wait, how come I can't remember the name they have just told me? » Yes, sometimes our memory is faltering.
However, when it comes to studying, photo memory is almost the only thing we can rely on. This area is really important to students regardless of whether you are in high school or college. In this article, the experts of cheap research papers are going to talk about how to develop a perfect memory, whether it relates to reading, new vocabulary or equations. So, how to train photographic memory? Let us get this straight.
Two Simple Questions: What is a Photographic Memory and What is The Difference Between Photographic and Eidetic Memory?
To get photographic memory, you first need to know what it is. To put it simply, photo memory is the ability to recall with great detail picture, sounds, texts to which we were exposed only for a short time. Some people view it as mnemonic techniques that can be applied to quickly memorize certain types of data. For instance, chess masters are able to visualize the position of pieces on a chess board after glancing for just a split second. Likewise, there are techniques which help to memorize the card sequence in a deck or people's names in the party. Actually, photographic memory is a raw skill but can be used for any type of data.
Although people use terms like “eidetic memory” and “photographic memory” as synonyms, they are distinguished. When the eidetic memory is the ability to view memories like photographs, the photographic memory is the ability to recall any type of data in great detail. How many people have photographic memory? It is hard to count, but we can tell for certain who has the photographic memory – children. Their brain works like a sponge that absorbs all the information which surrounds them. They can't attach meaning to what they observe, so they assimilate all the information and later figure out how to apply it. Let us try to find out how to think like a child and how to improve photographic memory.
How to Develop a Photographic Memory
It is a well-known fact that a photographic memory contributes to success in many spheres of our life. Too many processes depend on the memory including education as well as a job. Many people strive to develop their photographic memory to the full extent because they understand the importance of this notion: with a good memory, it is easier to comprehend courses at the college and pass all exams successfully.
However, as you may know, photographic memory is not a default function although some people have such an inner ability. And in spite of the numerous methods which contribute to improving photographic memory, it is not as easy as a pie. Otherwise, everyone would have graduated from Oxford or Cambridge by the age of 23. Nevertheless, we know some practices that will help to train your photographic memory.
Visualize More
There is something that psychologists call “the Baker/Baker paradox”. The researches take the group of participants in the study and they are all introduced initially to someone whose name is Mr. Baker. The people conducting the study wanted to know how many people will remember this person's name. The researches brought these people back later and ask how many of them remember the guy's name. 90% would forget it is Mr. Baker. The funny thing is they take a separate group of participants and they are introduced to the same exact person. They are told that this person is a baker. All of these people are brought back a few days later and they are asked the same thing “What do you remember about this person?” Not the person's name because they were not told the name, instead they were told the occupation. 75% remember he is a baker. It is almost the absolute flip of the other scenario.
The reason is human beings remember visual information really easily. In this situation, how do you picture a baker? What visual associations do you have to the baker? For us, it is bread, cake and baker hat. So, firstly, to get photographic memory you have to visualize more. Here is more detailed instruction.
Write Papers and Learn Poems
One of the effective methods of getting photographic memory is writing various kinds of paper. According to American experts, a left-brain which is responsible for analytical skills takes part in the writing process as well. That is why we are more inclined to memorize what is written rather than told.
Writing is known as one of the best practices that contribute to developing creativity. But it refers not to academic paper, geography or physic paper, it relates to art papers which contribute to developing out-of-box thinking. In this regard, try to start small: write a short essay which will describe your day mentioning all the details and events that have happened to you. And what is more important you are not limited in any topics or forms! You can start with short descriptive essays as well as persuasive essays. It is inevitable to look at the dictionary to find an appropriate word that will reveal your thought while writing your masterpiece. Then you can go ahead and write a novel or even chronology.
Poems are another way you can boost your photographic memory. Yes, we all know how poems could be irritable. Especially, when you cannot remember the words order. But we must admit, our teachers at schools and professors at the college put us to tortures for a good cause. Learning poems by heart contributes to improving photographic memory and if it is hard for you to remember the poem of a famous author, you need to come up with own one. Obviously, it is not easy but the result will be astonishing.
Summary
All the new information you send to your head, you divide into groups – the group of short-term memory and the group of long-term memory. The most important rule is that if you want to keep the material in a group of long-term memory, it is necessary to understand, comprehend, and logically rework the information you are trying to remember. Cramming, in this case, does not provide with such an effect, but thoughtful and careful reading leads to the best results.
By the way, the best instrument that can be applied in this process is a simple pencil. Just try to underline the key points, elements, dates that need to be memorized. You should not miss any details, as all of them are very important. After underlying key concepts, try to come up with a summery that will reflect all necessary information. And this summary can be in a written form as well. After that, you will be able to memorize every detail without excessive zeal.
Logical Chain
If you want to train your photographic memory, you need to comprehend what you are trying to remember to the full extent. In this case, you must form a logical chain which connects issues which cannot be memorized. Let us take a food chain as an example. Every part of this chain can be easily explained by the worldwide facts: rabbit eats grass and wolf eats rabbit. It is quite simple, is not it? Take this model for comprehending all complicated issues. Try to analyze the roots of a problem, find a logical explanation and come up with the best solution. The key point of this method is that it divides your brain into categories that formulate one truth.
By means of worldwide facts, you are trying to explain the more complicated thing that leads to several results:
you repeat worldwide facts to make them more worldwide in your head and comprehend complicated issues improve photographic memory by means of involving several processes.
Painting
It is a well-known fact that the most important element for the formation of new nerve cells and connections between them is constant learning and the acquisition of new experiences. And it is not about advanced training courses. French psychologists have conducted interesting research which shows that our photographic memory is interrelated with our imagination as well as its visualization. «The Baker/Baker paradox» is proof of it. It means we are able to memorize facts which have been created by our imagination. And what is more important, these facts have to be visualized as well.
By visualization, French psychologists implied the art of painting. And it is not necessary to be a skilled artist. As it was mentioned, the things which are going to be painted exist only in our head. Therefore, it does not matter how exactly they will be painted. The key point is to perceive information in the correct way and visualize it in order to remember material without making additional efforts. Such practice contributes to improving cognitive abilities as well. As a result, you will be able to depict any notion and memorize it until the end of life.
“Brain” Diet
There are also those who have decided to control their brain more consciously. They manage not only their mental abilities but also the rest of the body's functions: health, mood, and sleep. To succeed in this, they use different devices that scan the functions of their body and adhere to a certain diet. The diet of geniuses consists of different variations of the paleo diet. They eat meat, fish, vegetables, and nuts; reduce the consumption of cereals, legumes, and milk. Naturally, they do not consume sweets and alcohol. Also, people with a brilliant photographic memory need to take into consideration the glycemic index of foods and the content of healthy fats such as Omega-3. Among vitamins, D3 and K1 are especially sympathetic. D3 strengthens immunity and K1 supports the cardiovascular system.
They also use nutritional supplements. For gradual improvement of photographic memory and stability of attention, they can take creatine as well. The combination of caffeine and amino acid L-Theanine helps to improve photographic memory, affect the speed of processing visual information and switching attention from one task to another. To improve cognitive functions, people with great photographic memory also eat bitter chocolate and fish oil. All these products influence the mood. Nowadays, so-called Bulletproof Coffee is becoming more and more popular. Generally, it replaces breakfast. It is a mixture of organic coffee, butter, and coconut oil – all this is mixed in a blender. Experts say such breakfast fills with energy. David Aspri advises increasing the share of healthy fats in the daily diet up to 50%. For breakfast, he drinks Bulletproof Coffee followed by a long break. This approach is called the principle of "periodic starvation".
They also have a peculiar attitude towards the sport. Scientists believe the ability to run a marathon or fall back upon the hardest training on a CrossFit does not prove that a person is healthy. Physical activity is extremely important, but it should not be exhausting. The attentive attitude to breathing, enough sleep, walking in the fresh air, short weight training work better than any sport.
Of course, the above-mentioned practices do not guarantee that after its reading you will become a master of photographic memory, they will not create a power which will push you to achieve the desired goal. There is only one power that can do this – it is you.
