Crisis or Creation? A Systematic Examination of "False Memory Syndrome" (From Misinformation Concerning Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Survivors, P 9-36, 2001, Charles L. Whitfield, Joyanna Silberg, and Paul Jay Fink, eds. -- See NCJ-196522)

• NCJ Number: 196524
• Author(s): Stephanie J. Dallam
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article in the volume of Misinformation Concerning Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Survivors, examines the assumptions underlying "False Memory Syndrome" to determine whether there is sufficient empirical evidence to support it as a valid diagnostic construct.

Abstract

"False Memory Syndrome" is a social phenomenon where misguided therapists cause patients to invent memories of sexual abuse. Its description is based on the accounts of parents claiming to be falsely accused of child sexual abuse. Proponents of the syndrome state that it is occurring at epidemic levels and critics have suggested that the syndrome is based on vague unsubstantiated generalizations with its primary purpose to discredit victims' testimony. This article critically examines the assumptions underlying the concept to determine if there is sufficient empirical evidence to support "False Memory Syndrome" as a valid diagnostic construct. False memory proponents reveal that their construction of the syndrome is based on six main assumptions: (1) a recovered memory is likely to be a false memory; (2) false recovered memories are usually caused by incompetent therapists conducting "recovered memory therapy;" (3) it is easy to implant false memories of traumatic events that never happened; (4) people who cover memories are highly suggestible; (5) "False Memory Syndrome" is common among psychotherapy patients who recover traumatic memories; and (6) alleged perpetrators are somehow immune to developing false memories. The consequences of false memory oratory discussed include: the influence on media reporting; the attempt by proponents to lobby Federal and State legislatures to enact legislation helpful to accused child molesters; the questioning of the credibility of those reporting childhood abuse; and the effect on the willingness of therapists to believe and appropriately treat abuse survivors. The current empirical evidence suggests that the existence of "False Memory Syndrome" must be rejected due to advocates failing to adequately define or document the existence of a specific syndrome and relevant literature demonstrating that the construct is based on a series of faulty assumptions and having been disproven. References