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Repressed memory psychology
Repressed memory psychology
Repressed memory research paper
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Running head: WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4 1
Psyc 1111: Introduction to Human Psychology Written Assignment Unit 4
University of the People
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4 2
Introduction to Human Psychology Written Assignment Unit 4
Introduction
This paper will examine the psychological concept of repressed memories. It will do so by summarising a case study featuring repressed memories of childhood trauma, before discussing the circumstances in which memories of repressed trauma are likely to emerge and the possible consequences of the re-emergence of repressed memories. The paper will then conclude by offering personal observations of the phenomenon of repressed memories.
Case Study of repressed trauma
The case study selected for discussion involves
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First, there appear to be certain substantiated cases where repressed memories were corroborated by other evidence. Second, and from an evolutionary perspective, it seems intuitively sensible for an organism to evolve the ability to repressive memories of trauma if the experience of such trauma could in some way hinder the life cycle of that organism. In other words, if repression of memories has some benefit to the organism as compared to the other available alternative (living with the memories and re-living the trauma experienced) then it appears to be a useful adaptation under certain circumstances. However, it also seems likely that
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4 4 repressed memories can be inadvertently fabricated and therefore repressed memories should be corroborated in order for them to be treated as true accounts.
Word count: 545
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4 5
References
1. OpenStax College (2014). Psychology. Houston, TX
2. Recovered Memory Project. (2015, March 15). Clinical Cases. Retrieved from http://blogs.brown.edu/recoveredmemory/case-archive/clinical-cases/ [Accessed 18 February 2017].
3. Richmond, R.L. (n.d.). A Guide to Psychology and its Practice. Repressed Memories. Retrieved from http://www.guidetopsychology.com/repressn.htm [Accessed 18 February
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
Tate, R. L., & Pfaff, A., Jurjevic, L. (2000)Resolution of disorientation and amnesia during post-traumatic amnesia. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 68, 178-185
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
Repressed memories is a topic that has been an ongoing dispute among some, however ac...
Answers to these questions are complex and incomplete. As an anxiety disorder, PTSD has its foundations in fear and "emotional memory." Like factual memory, emotional memory also involves the storage and recall of events and details; this has been termed the explicit or conscious memory (2). Emotional memory, though, has a second, distinct component. This facet, t...
The causes, symptoms, and treatments of amnestic disorders are correctly portrayed in the movie ‘Memento”. Amnestic disorders are a group of disorders that involve the loss of memories that were formerly well-known or the loss in the capability to generate new memories. It is bigger than forgetting where you put your keys or forgetting to pick up something from the store. This disorder can develop from structural damage to the brain which affects the blood vessels. This disorder can also develop from substance abuse such as from alcoholism, heavy drug use, or an exposure to environmental toxins. It can also happen from psychogenic causes such as a mental disorder or post-traumatic stress.
...to see when this reconstruction mainly happens. Does it happen while encoding or retrieval. 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. Hence, it is of great value to study these false or partially false memories, as they can lead to severe psychiatric conditions such as depression and multiple personality disorder (Frankel et.al 1993).
As brain systems begin working, memory also starts to work. (4). The aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid afor I am intrigued by the fact that short-term memory can work independently of long-term memory. While long-term memory can be achieved through the repetition of a fact that is in the short-term memory, it appears that in amnesiac patients their long-term memory tends to return faster than their short-term memory. They can remember their favorite childhood food, but cannot remember why they are in the hospital.
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.
Kowalski, M.(1998, December). Applying the "two schools of thought" doctrine to the repressed memory controversy. The Journal of Legal Medicine. Retrieved September 14, 2000 from Lexis-Nexis database (Academic Universe) on the World Wide Web: http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe
I believe that having a false memory is more likely to occur because if our real memories change over time the story, arguing that a repressed memory stays intact after years of being blocked, is illogical. Most of the cases, the repressed memory came back because it was forced by external factors that may have altered the veracity of the memory, which makes repressed memories unreliable as testimonies. I believe that there is truth in both topics, however, the cases presented in the film, and how the victims reacted to the memories gives the viewer a sign that most of the cases were under the influence of false memories.
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
Repressed memory therapy plays a very important role when it comes to validating a memory. According to one source “RMT is supposed to help psychotherapist patients recover from a childhood of sexual abuse even if there is no evidence that there is no proof they their patients were sexually abused. (Hockmann, John 1995). This is a treatment that helps individuals go into the place in their mind and retrieve the different memories that have been cause them trauma and effecting there emotional mind set. Therefore, the therapist doesn’t have to have and proof that they experienced anything traumatic they help them to come up with their diagnosis” (Hockmann, John 1995). It’s really hard to make this an accountable process because you have a psychotherapist
Bartlett’s “War of the Ghosts” experiment (1932) is a classic example of false memories. The results of his study found participants would unintentionally alter the information of a story they read in a way that was more reflective of their own lives. Otagaar, et.al. (2013) examined false memories by developing non-believed memories in adults and children about taking a ride in a hot air balloon. The results of this study found that when the participants were asked immediately after reading a passage about this memory, most did not recall going on a hot air balloon. However, when the participants were called back a few months later, a higher percentage of participants recalled having experienc...
It has been demonstrated that memory is a constructed process. So, we can add new information to past memories every time that we retrieve it in a new context. Every time that people talk about past events’ memories, they most of the time forgets details or give wrong descriptions about things that happened. Moreover, in some cases, people can also describe things that never happened. Therefore, it is very easy to change others memories. It is amazing to know that our memory can be influenced by others in a positive and in a negative direction.