NCJ Number
185930
Date Published
1998
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This article examines the problems and issues involved in evaluating claims of recovered memories.
Abstract
The article considers recovered memory cases that have appeared in court systems and argues that mental health professionals can provide information to help sort out the truth and falsity of an allegation. It also considers what information will be admissible as scientific evidence in judicial proceedings. In so doing, it examines the scientific status of repression, dissociation, and trauma memories and discusses those concepts in light of civil litigation. Research on the nature of memory and forgetting does not support the assumption that some abuse is so traumatic that all memories of it will be removed from consciousness by an active filtering process of repression or dissociation. The article expresses skepticism about the truthfulness of allegations involving satanic ritual abuse, abuse said to be remembered from infancy, claims that repeated, traumatic abuse has been completely repressed only to be remembered years later, and abuse that is not recalled until after intrusive therapy techniques. Notes, references