Rajan: A study of a memorist

Rajan Mahadevan has an exceptional memory for digits. A series of experiments using memory span and number matrices show that, consistent with the account of skilled memory given by Chase and Ericsson (1982, in G. H. Bower (Ed.), in The psychology of learning and motivation, Vol. 16 (pp. 1–58). New York: Academic Press), Rajan uses a retrieval structure and demonstrates a reduction in study time with practice. However, contrary to the Chase and Ericsson theory, Rajan uses a modified paired-associate procedure rather than using pre-existing knowledge to encode the presented information. These data suggest that Rajan is quite different from other memorists but shows comparable levels of performance.