Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Quality and quantity of retention over time

Abstract

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Individuals who have Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) are able to recall, with considerable accuracy, details of daily experiences that occurred over many previous decades. The present study parametrically investigates the quantity and quality of details of autobiographical memories acquired one-week, one-month, one-year, and ten-years prior in HSAMs and controls. In addition, we tested the consistency of details provided at the one-week delay by testing the subjects one month later with a surprise assessment. At the one-week delay, HSAMs and controls recalled an equivalent number of events. In contrast, HSAM recall performance was superior at more remote delays, with remarkable consistency following a one-month delay. Further, we revealed a relationship between the consistency of recall and HSAMs’ obsessive-compulsive tendencies. These data suggest that HSAMs experience normal encoding, yet enhanced consolidation and later recall of autobiographical events.

Keywords

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• autobiographical memory
• human behavior
• memory retrieval
• Recollection
• Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory