According to Curt R. Bartol & Anne M. Bartol (2015), the topic of recovered or repressed memories has been an extremely controversial topic among psychologists for many years. The controversy surrounding recovered memories began around the end of the 20th century when there was a rapid increase in situations where individuals claimed that they had recovered forgotten memories from their past. The recovered memories that were reported during this time period were most frequently associated with child sexual abuse and satanic ritual abuse. The debate over this topic has forced a major division between researchers and practitioners throughout the field of psychology. This divide among psychologists is centered on opposing points of view concerning …show more content…
First, recent findings have indicated that many practitioners and clinicians lack any suspicious feelings of doubt or uncertainty when assessing the reliability of recovered memories (Patihis, Ho, Tingen, Lilienfeld, & Loftus, 2014). Many of these clinicians believe individuals can remain unaware of traumatic events that have happened to them in the past. They believe that the human mind has tucked away these traumatic events as a way to defend the psyche from events that individuals are not yet able to effectively cope with. Moreover, these clinicians believe that these memories can be unveiled through therapeutic practices. For example, Sigmund Freud is widely recognized for his attempts to uncover repressed memories through the usage of hypnosis (Bartol & Bartol, …show more content…
Many of these researchers have considered recovered memories to be pseudomemories, in fact. These researchers believe that recovered memories are most likely a result of suggestive therapeutic practices. Therefore, these researchers believe that clinicians are more responsible for the creation of these memories than the individuals reporting that they have experienced recovered memories themselves. Overall, there is not any evidence to support the notion that human memory functions in a fashion that would permit forgotten traumatic experiences to be randomly remembered years after the event (Patihis, Lilienfeld, Ho, & Loftus, 2014). Conversely, Bartol & Bartol (2015) argued that it is very possible that a portion of sexual abuse victims actually do forget the traumatic events that they have experienced and that they could eventually recover these memories years after the abuse has occurred. Despite this, Bartol & Bartol explained that there is not any credible evidence that supports the reliability of recovered memories
In conclusion, memory errors can be made by the retrieval stage of memory. The false memory syndrome and coerced confessions can take place in this stage. Both of these concepts can be unconscious
The influence of the investigators parallels the influence of therapists in cases of sexually abused children's recovered memories. Works Cited 1)Silverglate, Harvey A; Takei, Carl:Mistrial- The Capturing of Friedman's DVD sheds new light on the case.
Those who are in favor of retrieved memories state that these memories can be repressed and remain unattainable for years until an individual seeks therapy, where these memories can often be uncovered and trauma related to them can be treated (Freyd, 1994). On the other hand, some individuals have expressed concerns with the concept of repressed memories since, according to them, there is little scientific evidence that can support the theory (Patihis, Ho, Tingen, Lilienfeld & Loftus, 2014). In other words, cases where individuals experience traumatic events but often lack memories of these, often do not provide sufficient reliable evidence to make credible arguments. Memory research offers further insight into the controversial topic of “memory wars” by explaining if the notion of repressing memories and placing them into the unconscious is a feasible hypothesis. Furthermore, research presented in this brief will discuss the reliability and usefulness of using recovered memories as evidence in a court cases. Due to the controversial nature of recovered memories in judicial courts and scientific communities, it is important to consider research in the area to determine truthfulness in allegations involving recovered memories, as these have previously posed
First, it is important to understand past experiences from the perspective of Helga Ryan, an inductor of hypnosis. One of her many articles describes how on a spiritual level, we hold the energy of our past experiences and memories in every cell we are made of. Because of this, we are constantly forced to relive these memories and be reintroduced to the energies associated with them (1). Although Ryan tends to focus more on her practice and its psychological benefits, she very clearly and openly describes that our past does indeed affect our future. In fact, her entire practice is based on this principle as she makes a living through helping people heal the negative feelings people experience from their past. This basis of
Repressed memories is a topic that has been an ongoing dispute among some, however ac...
This would help us in understanding the reconstructive aspect of memory further. Thereupon conscious efforts could be taken to reduce false memories in individuals suffering from psychological disorders. As some disorders are usually a result of misinterpretation of events in life due to perverted inner beliefs or fears, this can be an appropriate intervention . Classically, it is true for adult reconstruction of childhood abuse and trauma which is widely studied. The research shows that these sort of memories are often distorted and self created, with no relevance to reality.
6. With respect to the controversy regarding reports of repressed memories of sexual abuse, statements by major psychological and psychiatric associations suggest that:
In the summary it is noted that “memory access was bias towards (a) mood-congruent, (b) recent and (c) distinctive (unusual) events” (Berntsen, 1996). Earlier I had looked into detail on the moods and distinctiveness of my memories. After looking closer, I noted that ten of the twelve memories had taken place in the last five years, with the other two happening six and ten years ago. The same literature discusses how involuntary memories can be used as a defense mechanism, and that “may help cover up disturbing, perceptual aspects of the current surroundings” (Berntsen, 1996). This would make a lot of sense when examining my negative memory, because it seems to be used as a warning for me to think of something else or look at something else. In a different piece of literature, repeated memories of traumatic events are discussed. I would consider my negative memory to be a traumatic event, since it made me physically sick. It also comes to mind involuntary often, when I see or think of something that could relate or look like it. This could be that it is way of “working through and coming to terms with the trauma” for me (Berntsen, 2008). Yet another piece of literature lines up with my experience, and it comes from a 1998 publication by Dorthe Berntsen. It is written that, “the results suggest that
Many counselors attribute their clients' woes to long-buried "repressed" memories of childhood sexual abuse. They help clients to unlock these, and rewrite their pasts. Clients sever all former ties with "families of origin" and surround themselves only with other "survivors", to prevent confirmation or denial.
There have been several experiments done to try to prove that false memories can indeed be formed. One experiment, for example, was tried with a 14-year-old boy. The boy was told four memories, one of which was falsely constructed but similar to that of a true memory. The memories that were suggested took place when the boy was about 10 years younger. As the false memory was retold to him, he was asked to explain in detail what he had remembered from that event. Surprisingly, he claimed to remember the event, even though it was falsely created by the interviewer and his brother, and went on to explain what he remember to have happened, details and all. After collecting everything he had said about the four memories, he was told that one of the suggested memories was made-up and he was asked to guess which one it may have been. When he couldn’t decide which one it was, he was told that it was in fact the memory of getting lost in a store. He was confused and had trouble believing the truth.
The model explains that successful or positive experiences in life prepares a person for life challenges (Trauma Recovery, 2015). According to The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (2015), stored memories of unresolved conflicts or trauma in the brain tend to shape beliefs, emotions, body sensations and behavioral responses (CEBC, 2015). AIP model was created based on the symptoms that erupt from poorly adapted stored memories (CEBC). When maladaptive stored memories are not addressed, psychological symptoms may develop. Adaptive information processing model guides the therapist to use EMDR therapy to assess the disruptive memories (Trauma Recovery, 2015).
An alternative view to this debate, are from practicing therapist who argue that most recovered memories are true, and that there is still some evidence to support the concept of repressed memories (Briere & Conte, 1993). They claim that traumatic memories such as sexual abuse tend to be different from ordinary memories because they are encoded in a way that prevents them from being accessible in everyday life. In addition, they argue that certain procedures during therapy are necessary in order to bring the repressed memories back into conscious awareness, and this is deemed necessary in order to help the patient recover. Despite these claims, there is little evidence to support the validity of reported cases of recovered memories, and most of the theories are mainly based on speculation rather than scientific evidence. However, there have been some cases in which a recovered memory did corresponded to an actual event that occurred. For example, an article by Freyd (1999), reported a case in which a man called Frank Fitzpatrick recovered memories of sexual abuse from childhood. Although this
According to Sternberg (1999), memory is the extraction of past experiences for information to be used in the present. The retrieval of memory is essential in every aspect of daily life, whether it is for academics, work or social purposes. However, many often take memory for granted and assume that it can be relied on because of how realistic it appears in the mind. This form of memory is also known as flashbulb memory. (Brown and Kulik, 1977). The question of whether our memory is reliably accurate has been shown to have implications in providing precise details of past events. (The British Psychological Association, 2011). In this essay, I would put forth arguments that human memory, in fact, is not completely reliable in providing accurate depictions of our past experiences. Evidence can be seen in the following two studies that support these arguments by examining episodic memory in humans. The first study is by Loftus and Pickrell (1995) who found that memory can be modified by suggestions. The second study is by Naveh-Benjamin and Craik (1995) who found that there is a predisposition for memory to decline with increasing age.
Good and bad memories can affect our everyday lives for the rest of our lives, if they are severe. The journal article mainly talks about anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and PTSD. All of these disorders are the result of traumatic events that have occurred in someone’s past. The article uses the example of someone who has been sexually assaulted. Someone who has been sexually assaulted may grow up to have PTSD. People with substance use disorder, may use drugs because they are trying to numb the pain of something that happened in the past. All of these disorders occur because of pathological memories. These memories can be very hard erase. The authors of the article quoted a statement that states “Given that these disorders are characterized by pathological memories, the ability to disrupt or erase these memories would offer a significant advance in treatment” (Merlo, Milton, & Everett, 2015). Many treatments have been given, such as therapy and exposure therapy. These two things have not been really successful in the past. Extinction learning is another thing that researchers have tried to erase traumatic memories. During extinction learning, most of the patients’ symptoms returned and were worse than they were before. Cue-exposure therapy was used to treat people who had substance use disorders. The
On average, when an individual loses something of important value, like an arm or a leg, he or she knows exactly what is missing in their lives, however, if one experiences loss of memory, something much greater than memory is at stake (Kiper, 2015, p. 42). Similarly, many young adults have had experience with memory loss in his or her life, however, these incidents are often times very minor especially when it comes to losing his/her car keys, jewelry, phone, and/or a purse. Unfortunately, for individuals 65 years or older who suffer from abnormal memory lapses, he or she does not have the luxury of living a normal life with minor forgetfulness like many young adults do (Mace & Rabins, 2012, p. 15). In addition, in the United States around 40% of elders over the age of 65 have some type of memory problem ("Memory Loss ," n.d.). Thus, while an