TERRE HAUTE — Every family has one. Every group of friends has one, too: a person who tends to remember almost everything that is going on. This person knows all about upcoming events (concerts, lectures), what is at the movies, and what’s on TV. Sometimes, this person even knows what is going on among family members, friends and acquaintances. Accurate gossip is a valuable commodity.
In the past century, a person with a great memory was called an mnemonist. However, we know now that an mnemonist really is not the right term for all people with an exceptional memory. A mnemonist is someone who is good at memorizing. The person who tends to remember everything going on is called, instead, a memorist. This person remembers without trying to memorize. Sort of how a fly sticks to fly paper, information about what is happening sticks to the memory of the memorist.
This column describes, first, different aspects of the special powers of a memorist. from a technical perspective. Second, we will consider how memorists can be useful to themselves and others. Third, we examine some disadvantages of being a memorist.
Special Powers of a Memorist
Many experts have tested the memory powers of a memorist. When memorists have their memory tested, they will remember more than most people. For example, if this person is presented with a list to recall (say 30 unrelated words), he or she will remember more than 20 words while most other people will feel they have done well with recalling 15 words.
If a memorist is given a digit span test (when a series of numbers, say a dozen, are said aloud by the test giver), he or she will recall as many as 10 or more digits. Most people with normal memory powers will recall around 7 numbers correctly. Testers may give a memorist a fluency test (in which this person is asked to recall as many items in a category in a short amount of time). For example, this person may be asked to recall as many animals as possible in a minute. When given this test, most people recall 10 or fewer animals. When a memorist is given this test, he or she is recalls more or much more that 10 animals.
In contrast, when mnemonists are given memory tasks, they may do as well or even better than a memorist. However, mnemonists do these tasks differently than a memorist. As we considered in a previous column, mnemonists use well-practiced strategies when they perform a memory task. For example, to learn a list, they organize the words in their mind. When they learn a list of digits, they mentally convert the numbers presented into meaningful combinations. Suppose that a person is presented with the numbers 2961. The mnemonist may remember these numbers by converting them into years (1962) or into mathematical relationships (such as 21, 9 and 6, all of which numbers are multiples of 3). When recalling examples of a category, mnemonists try to recall examples of subcategories. For example, instead of recalling whatever animals that come to mind, the mnemonist will recall farm animals, then jungle animals, then pets and so on.
A memorist does not use the memory strategies of an mnemonist. Nevertheless, he or she recalls more than most people. A memorist recalls something without use of strategies. They have an exceptional memory either because they are born that way or because they have had a lot of practice at memory tasks earlier in life. Mnemonists became good at memory tasks but only through making an effort to use strategies whenever they attempt such tasks.
The Usefulness of a Memorist
If you truly do have a memorist in your family or circle of friends, then you are very fortunate. With a memorist near by, there is no need to check the TV guide, newspaper or inquire with a friend about what is happening to others you know. If you recognize that someone in your family or circle of friends has the potential to be a memorist, encourage this person to become better and better at remembering. Each time he or she remembers some upcoming event, then reward this person. If you can nurture and train someone to be a memorist, then in the future you will not have to remember very much yourself. In other words, make a memorist your friend today.
Disadvantages of Being a Memorist
The memory powers of a memorist are not always a blessing. There are certain things that a memorist is likely to know and to not know. For example, memorists are usually skilled at remembering certain topics, such as facts about a sport such as baseball. However, just because the memorist knows the names of baseball stats backwards and forwards, does not mean that this person knows the names of the stars of other sports such as basketball, soccer, or rugby.
Although it may seem that it would be great to be a memorist, sometimes it can have its drawbacks. Instead of recognizing that a memorist is a valuable resource of information, some deviants exploit memorists by making this person the target of devilment. For example, some people try to catch memorists not knowing something. “You don’t know the name of Andrew Jackson’s vice president? Your memory is not so good after all.” Consequently, if you know you are a memorist, you would be wise to hide it from those who might enjoy annoying you. Also, just in case you are wondering, there is no need to pursue such devilment with me. I am neither a memorist nor an mnemonist.
A Sharper Mind
April 9, 2008
The advantages and disadvantages of memorists
- A Sharper Mind
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