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imagination v memory

longman

I keeping hearing specialists talk about lack of imagination, when this term originates from the theory that there is a reciprocal relationship between imagination and memory.

What people on the spectrum tend to do is rely more on memory. This lends itself to memorised factual content. However if people on the spectrum were wholly reliant on memory they might be wholly logical, like Data or Mr Spock.

In my perception what spoils the logic is that less regulated imagination blurs the reliability of memory, through anxiety and working thigs out.

The reason I raise this is that too many specialist seem to rely on ideas that aren't proven. Is it really the case that people on the spectrum lack imagination? Or is there more to this as I've suggested?

If the characteristic was better studied, could we help people on the spectrum more effectively? Any specialists out there want to come back on this?

Parents
  • longman said:
    The reason I raise this is that too many specialist seem to rely on ideas that aren't proven

    I suspect that this is often the issue, rather than any lack on our part.  And I don't often see research that looks as though it's actually going to be of any help to us. 

    In fact I think I've always been more imaginative than most.  Also that this imaginative side is fed by heightened sensory awareness and perception, then bolstered by the kind of hypervigilence that comes from the many, many anxiety-provoking situations that so often arise for us. 

    So, as a schoolchild, I was generally praised for my creative writing, artwork and imagination and this was linked both to my inherent abilities and my need and fear to consider all the factors that might be brewing in my environment and which I knew could be unleashed at any time.  This might have been the disciplinary system at my schools, bullying, feeling marginalised and different therefore unsafe and the physical environment - noisy, full of bustle, harsh overhead lightling and almost constant sensory bombardment.  Yes, I had to hone my imagination in order to preempt and prevent some difficult situations.  

    It might have been that I was living by my wits, but I also think that my already quite acute senses were forced into overdrive and my imagination became a protective measure.   

Reply
  • longman said:
    The reason I raise this is that too many specialist seem to rely on ideas that aren't proven

    I suspect that this is often the issue, rather than any lack on our part.  And I don't often see research that looks as though it's actually going to be of any help to us. 

    In fact I think I've always been more imaginative than most.  Also that this imaginative side is fed by heightened sensory awareness and perception, then bolstered by the kind of hypervigilence that comes from the many, many anxiety-provoking situations that so often arise for us. 

    So, as a schoolchild, I was generally praised for my creative writing, artwork and imagination and this was linked both to my inherent abilities and my need and fear to consider all the factors that might be brewing in my environment and which I knew could be unleashed at any time.  This might have been the disciplinary system at my schools, bullying, feeling marginalised and different therefore unsafe and the physical environment - noisy, full of bustle, harsh overhead lightling and almost constant sensory bombardment.  Yes, I had to hone my imagination in order to preempt and prevent some difficult situations.  

    It might have been that I was living by my wits, but I also think that my already quite acute senses were forced into overdrive and my imagination became a protective measure.   

Children
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