Vygotsky about eidetic memory

Vygotsky proposed that eidetic imagery is an elementary mental function, meaning that it is innate. These elementary mental functions are then augmented and transformed into what he refers to as higher psychological functions. In the case of eidetic imagery, higher psychological function would constitute using organizational principles and vocabulary to aid memory instead of images. This idea of development leading away from the use of eidetic imagery is found in S. M. Kosslyn's attempt to explain the negative correlation between imagery and age.

Kosslyn proposes that adults are capable of encoding information using words, but children are not capable of this because they do have not fully developed their verbal abilities. This theory suggests then that as young eidetic grow up their abilities should decline or even become non-existent. There is not much evidence for or against this theory.

It would be interesting to observe a group of children over the course of their lives to see if their ability to form eidetic imagery decreases. Haber indicates that naming interrupts eidetic imagery formation even in young eidetic. Check your memory

See also The Memory of Primitive Man and Vigodsky biography