The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse
by Elizabeth F. Loftus
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According to many clinical psychologists, when the mind is forced to endure a horrifying experience, it has the ability to bury the entire memory of it so deeply within the unconscious that it can only be recalled in the form of a flashback triggered by a sight, a smell, or a sound. Indeed, therapists and lawyers have created an industry based on treating and litigating the cases of people who suddenly claim to have "recovered" memories of everything from child abuse to murder.This book show more reveals that despite decades of research, there is absolutely no controlled scientific support for the idea that memories of trauma are routinely banished into the unconscious and then reliably recovered years later. Since it is not actually a legitimate psychological phenomenon, the idea of "recovered memory"--and the movement that has developed alongside it--is thus closer to a dangerous fad or trendy witch hunt. show lessTags
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I had expected a book on the workings of memory, on the plasticity of refound memories and so on. And while these are in here, the book is mainly the story of the author being shocked to find herself in a psychological war about the possibility of retrieving repressed memories, a war where everything she values is questioned. I was impressed with her refusal to accuse any people of bad intentions, and keeping the discussion going.
Some of the stories of "retrieved" memories are shocking. I was particularly moved by the story of Paul Ingram, who started to believe the accusations made against him - if only he could find them in his memory!
An impressive book, very much worth reading.
Some of the stories of "retrieved" memories are shocking. I was particularly moved by the story of Paul Ingram, who started to believe the accusations made against him - if only he could find them in his memory!
An impressive book, very much worth reading.
If you ever believed Orkney, Rochdale, McMartin Pre School, the West Memphis Case read this and try nad look at things from another point of view.
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- Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 616.85 — Technology Medicine & health Diseases Diseases of nervous system and mental disorders Miscellaneous
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- RC455.2 .F35 .L64 — Medicine Internal medicine Internal medicine Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry Psychiatry
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