Password Muscle Memory

I realized the other day how dependent I am on muscle memory for remembering passwords. It is possible spatial memory is a better concept to mention.

I suspect I know 50 or so passwords of the truly random variety (I usually shoot for 8 – 10 characters across 3 classes). But, if you asked me for one of those passwords over the phone or in person I would be completely unable to remember beyond the first 2-3 characters without a keyboard to type on. With a full size keyboard in front of me I can effortlessly type out all of those passwords I have stored away. Sometimes if I concentrate and fake-type on a table or wall I can remember but not always especially when a large number of non-alphanumeric characters are involved.

Similarly with my iPhone SSH client (I use pTerm and it works pretty well) I have to setup keys otherwise I am unable to connect to anything as I cannot remember passwords using the 2-finger/thumb keyboards found on phones.

Pretty random post I know but was thinking about this lately. If other people work this way I would appreciate finding out otherwise it seems there is something strange happening on my end.