eidetic

Eidetic is an adjective describing the ability to recall or reproduce sensory details with unusual vividness after limited exposure, often discussed in the context of memory. The term comes from the Greek eidēs, meaning "form" or "shape," with the suffix -etic. In psychology, it is most closely associated with eidetic memory or eidetic imagery, referring to a highly detailed mental image of a scene or object.

In scientific literature, true eidetic memory is controversial. Some children display transient eidetic imagery after brief exposure to a scene, but robust evidence for a lasting, veridical "photographic memory" in healthy adults is lacking. Most claims of perfect recall are attributed to mnemonic skills, reconstructive memory, or selective reporting. The phenomenon, when present, is usually short-lived and context-dependent; details may fade or become distorted over time and with interference.

Usage-wise, in everyday speech, "eidetic" is often conflated with "photographic memory" or "perfect recall." In clinical or research contexts, the term is used cautiously, and researchers emphasize the rarity and limited generalizability of the phenomenon. Related concepts include eidetic imagery and mnemonics.