Eidetic memory is the rare ability to vividly recall images after briefly looking at them. It is a type of sensory memory that lasts only a few seconds. The parts of the brain involved are the visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortices. Dr. Reid from the TV show Criminal Minds has an IQ of 187, can read 20,000 words per minute, and has an eidetic memory. His exceptional recall allows him to remember key facts that help the team solve cases by finding victims or cracking codes. His memory is one of his most essential assets as a profiler for the Behavioral Analysis Unit.

1. EIDETIC MEMORY AND
CRIMINAL MINDS

2. PSYCHOLOGY BASIS

3. EIDETIC MEMORY
• Eidetic Memory- The ability to recall detailed images
vividly after looking at them for a short period of time.
• Eidetic memory is part of sensory memory. Sensory
memory is one of the three types of basic memory and is
defined as memory lasting no more than a few seconds in
which the impression of a sensory stimulus is stored.

4. EIDETIC MEMORY
• The parts of the brain that make up the sensory
memory are the somatosensory cortex, the
auditory cortex, and the visual cortex.
• The two other types of sensory memory are Iconic
memory which is a type of memory involving visual
stimuli and Echoic memory which is a type of
memory involving auditory stimuli.

5. MEDIA

6. CRIMINAL MINDS
• Dr. Reid pictured to the far
left is a genius with an IQ of
187 and can read 20,000
words per minute.
• He works with a team at the
Behavioral Analysis Unit
trying to catch serial killers.
• He is one of the most
essential parts of his team
due to his special talent of
information recall.

7. CONNECTION
• In an episode Dr. Reid is explaining his intelligence when challenged.
• Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner: This is Special Agent Dr. Reid.
• Man:
Oh, you look too young to have gone to medical school.
• Dr. Spencer Reid:
They are Ph.D.'s, three of them.
• Man:
What, are you a genius or something?
• Dr. Spencer Reid:
I don't believe that intelligence can be accurately quantified, but I do have an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory,
can read 20,000 words per minute.

8. • In the series Reid is always using he's intellect to solve puzzles such as with the “zodiac killer”.
• He usually uses his sensory memory to remember key facts that will help them find where a victim is
hidden or crack codes.
• My take on Reid's eidetic memory is that is helps him to solve many cases and save the lives of others
just by being able to remember.
• He also remembers anything he reads which has helped him save numerous victims from death and use
behavioral analysis to save lives.
MY TAKE