Criminal MindsExploring Spencer Reid’s Eidetic Memory.

Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds is an American CBS series that premiered in the year 2005 and is still running to date with a current total of 10 seasons.

This hit series focuses on the Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU. The BAU is an elite FBI force that profiles the nations most dangerous criminal minds in an effort to anticipate their next move before they can strike again.

Spencer Reid

Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Grey Gubler, has been a main character in Criminal Minds since season 1.

Gubler plays the role of a literal genius with an IQ of 187, 3 PhD’s, and an active Eidetic Memory.

Eidetic Memory

In psych 101, we learned about the Eidetic Memory in Lecture 6-Memory.

In lecture, Eidetic Memory was defined as the ability to recall detailed images vividly after looking at them for a short period of time. Eidetic Memory falls under sensory memory.

Sensory memory is the shortest-term element of memory and it acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the five senses.

Eidetic Memory is also known as photographic memory or total recall.

Eidetic Memory Continued

Eidetic Memory is more commonly found in children (about 2%-10%) and is unconnected with an individual’s intelligence.

Having an Eidetic Memory is uncommon in adults and is thought to effect one’s social skills.

“Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don’t have film.”

Connection

Spencer Reid’s role in Criminal Minds was very crucial when it came to solving cases.

In almost every episode, Reid was able to bring something to the table that other members of the team couldn’t because of his amazing ability to remember.

For example, Reid was continuously able to remember minor but important details from past conversations, crime scenes and previously read literature, stimulating all of his senses.

Connection

In class, we learned that the sensory memory is the shortest-term element of memory. This is what makes the Eidetic Memory so spectacular because it contradicts what the sensory memory is known for. Memory involving the senses is one of the first to be forgotten but those with an Eidetic Memory are able to hold onto these memories with such precision and accuracy.

Spencer Reid is able to successfully hold onto memories made with sight, smell, touch, etc. Ultimately, this is advantageous to the BAU because Reid’s special talent allows them to obtain information a “normal” person wouldn’t be able to give.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Minds (slide 2)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Reid (slide 3)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_memory (slide 4)

http://www.human-memory.net/types_sensory.html (slide 4,5)

http://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/2008/eidetic-memory/ (slide 4,5)

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro06/web2/agoldstein.html (slide 5)