Repressed Memories Essay

766 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: False memories

Repressed Memory
PSYC:1504 Introduction to Psychology
UoPeople
Memory is a complex issue and more elusive than many people realize. Most people believe that if they can remember an event clearly that it must be true. The truth is that memory is extremely fragile, and it can be easy for a person’s mind to invent memories or to have false memories implanted. This can lead to people being able to convincingly recall events that never happened. (University of St Andrews, 2008)
Research has shown that false memories can be so powerful that they actually effect a person’s behavior. In one experiment researchers suggested to participants that they had become ill after eating an egg salad as a child. A significant minority of participants believed …show more content…

The concept of repressed memories is based on the theory that children, in particular, may dissociate themselves from a memory in order to protect themselves from the pain. (Ehrenfeld, 2015)
While there is evidence that people may have repressed memories, it is also likely that this phenomena is extremely rare, although further research is needed in order to better understand when and why this may occur, as well as appropriate clinical techniques to aid in treatment. (American Psychological Association, 2017)
It is certainly clear that in cases of repressed memory, even if it is unclear as to the truth of these memories, it is still haunting for those involved. One such case involves Holly Ramona who falsely believed that her father had abused her as a child.
Holly Ramona was receiving therapy for bulimia and depression and then began to have flashbacks of being raped by her father, Gary Ramona, and in therapy where she received the drug sodium amytal and therapy to assist her to recover her repressed memories. (La Ganga, 1994) This drug is known colloquially as truth serum, but it is more commonly used as a sedative. Sodium amytal is now known to cause false memories to develop. (Orwig,

Show More
Related

  • The Effect of Motivation on False Word Recall in the DRM Paradigm

    1519 Words  | 4 Pages

    Roediger III, H. L., Watson, J. M., McDermott, K. B., & Gallo, D. A. (2001). Factors that determine false recall: A multiple regression analysis. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 8(3), 385-407.

    Read More

  • False Memory Case Summary

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Essay On Repressed Memories

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Recovered Memory Theory

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition, some argue that the recovery of repressed memories during psychotherapy might be a result of suggestive practices employed by the therapist (Madill & Holch, 2004). This has raised questions among scholars who have suggested that the creation of false memories is plausible, especially if repressed memories have been recovered in therapy where suggestive techniques, such as hypnosis, have been used by the therapist in treatment. Ms. Jaynor stated that after experiencing symptoms of depression and low self-esteem, she decided to seek help and started therapy to treat her symptoms. Ms. Jaynor mentioned to therapist Janet Balderston that she did not recall any traumatic experiences as a child. Memories of her childhood were not clear but she remembered it as being average, neither terrible nor extremely happy. Ms. Jaynor’s therapist suggested hypnosis and dream interpretation as part of treatment since Cindy’s description of her childhood was typical of a person who suffered from

    Read More

  • Recovered Memories versus False Memories: Is It Possible to Determine What Is Real?

    2005 Words  | 5 Pages

    False memories being created is obvious through many different ways, such as eye-witness testimonies and past experiments that were conducted, however repression is an issue that has many baffled. There seems to be little evidence on the factual basis of repressed memories, and many argue that it does not exist. The evidence for repression in laboratories is slowly emerging, but not as rapidly as the evidence for false memories. It has been hard to clinically experiment with repressed memories because most memories are unable to be examined during the actual event to corroborate stories. Experimenters are discovering new ways to eliminate this barrier by creating memories within the experiment’s initial phase. This is important for examining the creation of false memories during the study phase. This research study will explore the differences between recovered memories and false memories through research and experiments. Other terms and closely related terms will be discussed, while examining any differences, in relation to repressed memories. The possibility of decoding an actual difference between recovered memories and false memories, through biological techniques. Because false memories can be created, examining these creations in a laboratory setting can shed light on facts overlooked. Exploring these issues will also help with the development of better therapeutic techniques for therapists in dealing with memories. This can lead to an easier process for patients and therapists if they must go through the legal system in relation to an uncovered memory.

    Read More

  • Memory Recovery in Therapy: Recommendations to Clinical psychologist Counselors

    2508 Words  | 6 Pages

    The false memory and recovered memory literature is marked by controversy. It examines the phenomenon a variety of patients have exhibited: purportedly “losing” memories of trauma, only to recover them later in life (Gavlick, 2001). In these cases, temporary memory loss is attributed to psychological causes (i.e. a traumatic event) rather than known damage to the brain (Gavlick, 2001). While some assert that the creation of false memories through therapeutic practice is a serious concern and founded associations like the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) in the U.S. and the British False Memory Society (BFMS) in order to advocate against psychological malpractice, other researchers contend that the evidence for “false memory syndrome,” or the recovery of untrue memories, is weak (Brewin & Andrews, 1998; Pope, 1996). The debate arose largely in the 1990s, though a consensus in the literature still has not been reached.

    Read More

  • Memory Is a Reconstruction: Myth or Truth?

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    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).

    Read More

  • True Or False Memories Research Paper

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article How to Tell If a Particular Memory Is True or False by Daniel M. Bernstein and Elizabeth F. Loftus, addresses the various techniques used by cognitive scientists and other researchers in hopes of distinguishing true from false memories. For this article Loftus and Bernstein, memory researchers, chose to discuss the different methods currently used, rather than trying to find new ways to tell if a particular memory is true or false. Their findings in these three different approaches are very interesting, and leads us to think critically of the veracity of true and false memories.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Recovered Memories

    1529 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Involuntary Memories Essay

    1179 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Formation Of False Memories

    482 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Repressed Memories

    3889 Words  | 8 Pages

    In recent years there has been a hot debate between "repressed" vs. "false" memories. Neurobiological studies show that both suppression and recall and the creation of false memories are possible. This paper evaluates the evidence but forth by both sides of the controversy and concludes that both are feasible and separate phenomenon, which occur at significant rates in our society.

    Read More

  • false memory and eyewitness testimony

    1508 Words  | 4 Pages

    False Memories are essentially, unintentional human errors, or a state of none-factual creativeness; which results in persons having declared memories of events and situations that did not occur in the actuality of their own lifespan reality history. If they were not unintentional errors they would be deception, which has the nature of a different purpose, morality and legality. False memories have no authenticity, realness or legitimacy, in the subject’s actual life. However they may not be complete false memories: more likely to be a combination of subjugation of previous memory cue’s; or imaginative inventive production, activated and initiated by an origination of external scenario additive as a prompt, indicator or sign, which fuses into memory recall. Therefore ‘False Memories’ are a genuine but inaccurate remembering of experimental data or recall of an genuine occurrences; both of which have rudiments of accuracy and inaccuracy in their transitive attention, giving most ‘False Memories’ partiality.

    Read More

  • False Memories Essay

    643 Words  | 2 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • The Reliability of Memory

    1483 Words  | 3 Pages

    The British Psychological Society. (2011). Memory is not as reliable as we think. Retrieved from http:// http://www.bps.org.uk/news/memory-not-reliable-we-think

    Read More

More about Repressed Memories Essay

Open Document