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False Memory Essay Research Paper Saetern ChrisPsychologyPPMark (стр. 2 из 2)

to a perceived memory need not correlate with the veracity of that event,

but rather only to whether one believes that event to be true.”[note 4]

Therapists may believe that they are helping clients and improving a

culture in which sex abuse is far too prevalent. A patient may find group

acceptance in the cadre of survivors and find “the” reason for problems.

Patients suffering from severe psychological symptoms are known to engage in

what is called, “effort after meaning” (Bass & Davis, 1988), in that they

seek some explanation, however remote, for suffering.

So, should accounts of repressed memory be dismissed out of hand? Of course

not! But there should be an attempt to corroborate such memories with

independent evidence and testimony before drawing conclusions about actual

abuses or crimes. Such accounts should be taken very seriously and should be

critically examined, giving them all the attention and investigative

analysis we would give to any allegation of crime. But we should not rush to

judgement, either about the accuracy of the memories of about the causal

connection between past experiences and present problems. We should neither

automatically reject as false memories which have been repressed for years

and are suddenly recollected, nor should we automatically accept such

memories as true. In terms of verification of their accuracy, these memories

should not be treated any differently than any other type of memory.

Bibliography

NOTES

1. Yet, it has happened. In a modern version of the Salem witch hunts, the

McMartin pre-school case exemplifies the very worst in institutionalized

justice on the hunt for child molesters.

See, Mason, M. (Sept. 1991). The McMartin case revisited: the conflict

between social work and criminal justice, Social Work, v.36, no.5.

391-396. [on evaluating the credibility of children as witnesses in sexual

abuse cases] ,

2. See, Council on Scientific Affairs, (1994). American Medical

Association, June 16.

3. See, Council on Scientific Affairs, (1994). American Medical

Association, June 16.

4. See, Ofshe, R., & Watters, E., (1994). Making Monsters: False Memory,

Psychotherapy and Sexual Hysteria. p.109.

REFERENCES

Bass, E. & Davis, L., (1988). The Courage To Heal, p.173.

Council on Scientific Affairs, (1994). American Medical Association, June 16.

Hyman, I.E. Jr., Husband, T.H. & Billings, F.J., (1995). Prompting false

childhood memories. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 9, pp.181-197.

Lindsay, S. & Read, D., (1994). Applied Cognitive Psychology, 8, p.302.

London., (1995). Independent Practitioner, March 1, 64.

Loftus, E., (1980). Memory, Surprising New Insights Into How We Remember

and Why We Forget, Reading, Mass,: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.

Loftus, E., & Ketcham, K., (1987). Eye Witness Testimony: Civil and

Criminal, New York, N.Y.: Kluwer Law Book Publishers.

Loftus, E., (1980). Eye Witness Testimony, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard

University Press.

Mason, M., (Sept. 1991). The McMartin case revisited: the conflict between

social work and criminal justice,” Social Work, 36, no. 5, pp.391-396.

Ofshe, R., & Watters, E., (1994). Making Monsters: False Memory,

Psychotherapy and Sexual Hysteria. p.109.

Tavris, C., (1993). Hysteria and the Incest Survivor Machine, Sacramento

Bee, Forum section, January 17, p.1.