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eidetic image

a clear, specific, high-quality mental image of a visual scene that is retained for a period (seconds to minutes) after the event. Individuals who experience eidetic imagery (called eidetikers) continue to see a visual scene and are able to report on its details even though they know the stimulus is no longer there. This type of imagery is more common in children than in adults.

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Psychology term of the day

July 26th 2024

nativism

nativism

n.

1. the doctrine that the mind has certain innate structures and that experience plays a limited role in the creation of knowledge. See also innate ideas; nativistic theory. Compare constructivism; empiricism.

2. the doctrine that mental and behavioral traits are largely determined by hereditary, rather than environmental, factors. See nature–nurture.

3. the theory that individuals are born with all perceptual capabilities intact, although some capabilities may depend on the biological maturation of perceptual systems to reach adult levels. —nativist adj., n. —nativistic adj.