Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T11:41:36.146Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

False memory syndrome – balancing the evidence for and against

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Stephen Critchlow
Stephen Critchlow*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Lagan Valley Hospital, Hillsborough Road, Lisburn, Co Antrim, BT28 IJP, Northern Ireland
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The false memory syndrome has been the subject of recent intense debate. Can false memories of child sexual abuse be engendered in the minds of susceptible individuals by well meaning therapists? This paper examines the evidence for false memories. Memory in childhood and adults is discussed, and the different processes involved in traumatic memory are emphasised. Evidence for amnesia following sexual abuse with subsequent recall is presented.

It is important to weigh carefullythe evidence both for and against the false memory syndrome. Good evidence for false memories exists, but conversely amnesia and subsequent recall of sexual abuse undoubtedly occur. The principle of primum non nocere is particularly important in guiding therapeutic endeavours.

Keywords

Sexual abuseFalse memory syndromeChildhood memoryTraumatic memory
Type
Research Article
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 1998 , pp. 64 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Winbolr, B. False memory syndrome – an issue clouded by emotion. Med Sci Law 1996; 36(2): 100–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Gudjonsson, GH. Accusations by adults of child sexual abuse: a survey of the members of the British False Memory Society (BFMS). Applied Cognitive Psychology 1997; 11: 3–18.3.0.CO;2-U>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Poole, DAet al.Psychotherapy and the recovery of memories of childhood sexual abuse: US and British practitioners' opinions, practices and experiences. J Consult Clin Psychol 1995; 63(3): 426–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Russell, D. The incidence and prevalence of intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse of female children. In: Walker, LEA ed. Handbook of sexual abuse of children. New York: Springer, 1988.Google Scholar
5.Woffinden, B, Jervis, M. Out of the mouths of babes. The Independent 1995; 08 8: 5.Google Scholar
6.Pope, HG Jr, Hudson, JI. ‘Recovered memory’ therapy for eating disorders: implications of the Ramona verdict. Int J Eat Disord 1996; 19(2): 139–45.3.0.CO;2-O>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Boakes, J. False memory syndrome. Lancet 1995; 346(8982): 1048–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Loftus, EE. The reality of repressed memories. Am Psychologist 1993; 48(5): 518–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Lipinski, JF Jr, Pope, HG Jr. Do ‘flashbacks’ represent obsessional imagery? Compr Psychiatry 1994; 35(4): 245–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Usher, JA, Neisser, U. Childhood amnesia and the beginnings of memory for four early life events. J Exp Psychology Gen 1993; 122: 155–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Erdelyi, MH, Frame, JD. The case of Dr John D Frame's first memory. Historical truth and psychological distortion. Consciousness and Cognition 1995; 4: 95–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Hermann, DJ. The validity of retrospective reports as a function of the directness of retrieval processes. In: Schwartz, N, Sudman, S eds. Autobiographical memory and the validity of retrospective reports. New York: Springer, 1994: 21–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Nelson, K. The psychological and social origins of autobiographical memory. Psychological Science 1993; 4(1): 7–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Fivush, R, Hamond, NR. Autobiographical memory across the preschool years: toward reconceptualising childhood amnesia. In: Fivush, R, Hudson, JA eds. Knowing and remembering in young children. New York: Cambridge, 1990: 223–48.Google Scholar
15.Fivush, R, Schwartzmueller, A. Say it once again: effects of repeated questions on children's event call. J Traumatic Stress 1995; 8: 555–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Hudson, JA, Fivush, R. As time goes by: sixth graders remember a kindergarten experience. App Cognitive Psychology 1991; 5: 347–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Ornstein, PA, Larus, DM, Clubb, PA. Understanding children's testimony: implications of research on the development of memory. In: Vasta, R ed. Annals of child development. Vol 8. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1991: 145–76.Google Scholar
18.Pillemer, DB, White, SH. Childhood events recalled by children and adults. Adv Child Dev Behav 1989; 21: 297–340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Harvey, MR, Herman, JL. Amnesia, partial amnesia and delayed recall among adult survivors of childhood trauma. Consciousness and cognition 1994; 3(3-4): 295–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Brown, R, Kulik, J. Flashbulb memories. Cognition 1977; 5: 73–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.Janet, P. Psychological healing. Vol 1-2. New York: MacMillan, 1925. (Original publication: Janet P. Les medications psychologiques. Vol 1-3. Paris: Alcon, 1919; 660.)Google Scholar
22.Christianson, SA. The relationship between induced emotional arousal and amnesia. Scand J Psychol 1984; 25: 147–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Madakasira, S, O'Brian, K. Acute posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of a natural disaster. J Nerv Ment Dis 1987; 175: 286–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Van der Kolk, BA, Kadish, W. Amnesia, dissociation and the return of the repressed. In: Van der Kolk, BA ed. Psychological trauma. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1987: 173–90.Google Scholar
25.Wilkinson, CB. Aftermath of a disaster: The collapse of the Hyatt Regency Hotel skywalks. Am J Psychiatry 1983; 140: 1134–9.Google ScholarPubMed
26.Pope, HG Jr, Hudson, JI. Can memories of childhood sexual abuse be repressed? Psychol Med 1995; 25(1): 121–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Herman, JL, Schatzow, E. Recovery and verification of memories of childhood sexual trauma. Psychoanal Psychology 1987; 4(1): 1–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28.Briere, J, Conte, J. Self-reported amnesia for abuse in adults molested as children. J Traumatic Stress 1993; 6(1): 21–31.Google Scholar
29.Loftus, EF, Polonsky, S, Fullilove, MT. Memories of childhood sexual abuse: remembering and repressing. Psychology of Women Quarterly 1994; 18: 67–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.Williams, LM. Recall of childhood trauma. A prospective study of women's memories of child sexual abuse. J Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1994; 62(6): 1167–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31.Williams, LM. Recovered memories of abuse in women with documented child sexual victimisation histories. J Traumatic Stress 1995; 8(4): 649–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32.Martinez-Taboas, A. Repressed memories. Some clinical data contributing towards its education. Am J Psychotherapy 1996; 50(2): 217–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
33.Andrews, B. Can a survey of British False Memory Society members reliably inform the recovered memory debate? Applied Cognitive Psychology 1997; 11: 19–23.3.0.CO;2-U>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
34.Colodney, EJ. Recovered memories. N Eng J Med 1996; 334(4): 274.Google ScholarPubMed
35.Schooler, JW, Bendiksen, M, Ambador, Z. (Chapter in) False and recovered memories. Conway, M ed Oxford: Oxford University Press. In press.Google Scholar