Repressed Memories

Running head : REPRESSED MEMORIES

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Introduction

The repressed memory debate is very controversial . There is a school of thought that refers to it as the false memory theory . They argue that the memory that is recalled is constructed out of bits of information that are cleverly crafted by the mind to produce a detailed report of what happened in the past . The other side of the debate feels that this is an area of psychology that needs more study to come up with more

br concrete evidence of its usefulness . they feel repressed memories can help in finding out the truth about incidents that happened long ago They argue that its application in the field of criminology is invaluable . This concept is very important because its reliability in the courts of law especially in cases of alleged child sex abuse (CSA has been seriously challenged . Some reports of recovered memory can be described as false memory syndrome , motivated forgetting , betrayal trauma , personality dis or biological protective processes

The data available on this is vast and the arguments on both sides are convincing . It is possible then to study the issue and come up with an informed position . The question is whether repressed memory has any useful application in revealing the past or is it useful in identifying psychological problems affecting those that suffer from it . Research into this issue must take into consideration the results of those that claim to have repressed memories and find out how many of the claims were proved beyond a shadow of doubt . In those cases where the claim was found to be false , the claimant should be subjected to further psychological tests to find out if there is an underlying problem . The question of why repression occurs must also be answered . A study of the incidents forgotten will give the nature of repressed memories and help in further developing a sound theory on the subject . The question of what age bracket is most affected and how they recovered that memory are areas that need further study in carrying out an analysis of this phenomenon

Methodology

The design of any study repressed memory should include the basis of research . The raison d 'ktre for the study must be established . In this case , the validity of repressed memories as a scientific area of study is to be investigated to prove whether it is a branch of science on its own or a tool to assist in further diagnosing the problems of those with mental diss . The unclear terms and deductive fallacies must be clearly defined and the fallacies investigated further to prove their invalidity . The study must reexamine inferential errors and confirmation bias . There must be clear links in the chain of reasoning and the original sources of information be subjected to further cross examination to prove the veracity of the claims . Finally the ad hominem fallacies need to be looked into (Daubert , 1993 . Detailed information of the subjects under cross examination must be collected to be able to determine whether the person has suffered any form of abuse or trauma that could have forced the mind to suppress the memory . Sigmund Freud acknowledged the concept of repressed memories when he attributed it to selective amnesia (Stewart , 1962 . Thus by focusing on the reasons why and the conditions under which amnesia occurs then a clear picture of a solid theory of repressed memory can emerge . One of the common criticisms unveiled in the study of repressed memories , the therapists implant reasons for the occurrence in the minds of their patients . The patients then internalize the suggestion and thus come to believe that the repressed memory was due to say child abuse or a traumatic incident The repressed memory syndrome has been found to have a higher incidence in white females from affluent families who suffer from some sort of ailment . The therapists in a bid to diagnose them rush to suggest the repression of a traumatic event in most cases CSA It is important that while conducting the study the patient be the one to come up with the reason for the mind repressing the memory . Studies have shown that false memories can be implanted into the minds of people . In one study suggestions were made that children had been lost in a shopping mall Many of the children later came to believe that this was a real memory It is not ethical to create memories of severe trauma in a laboratory setting (Loftus , Elizabeth .1994 .the sampling design should consist of both male and female who have repressed memories . It should be large enough to get a true picture of the actual situation . A similar control group should be subjected to the same test as those claiming to have experienced recovered memories . The groups should be selected on the basis of age , gender , race , economic status , and religious beliefs . The measurement instruments should include a calendar to determine the time span between the event and the recall . The clarity of the memory , the number of people involved and their identities so as to verify the event , the geographical setting of the event , the duration of the event recalled that is was it a one time event or did it recur . The tests must cross-examine the `evidence ' and corroborate it by documented information and background checks on the two sample groups . The issue of how reliable the information was and its validity should be recorded Any gaps in the memory should be filled by the respondent and the researchers should avoid leading questions to help the samplers recreate their memories . The issue of inconsistencies should be noted and the sampler asked to explain why certain facts do not seem to tally with known parameters . The study must be careful not to impute certain ideas or results in the minds of the samplers . It would be unethical to develop questionnaire that is tilted towards getting a certain result Further there should be no experiments carried out to create or otherwise influence false trauma or hypnotize the samplers without their express permission and when such permission is granted the sampler should know what is going to be asked of them

Data analysis

The data collected from the study should be collated . The number of respondents in the control group should be compared with the number of those that had experienced repressed memories and their results compared . The data should be compiled on the basis of the various criteria used to select the respondents . The analysis of the data should be geared towards answering the question of whether a repressed memory is a pseudo science or an actual branch on its own . It must stand the test of science in that it must be empirically verifiable . That under certain conditions , certain things are bound to occur , and that a general theory can be constructed to explain the phenomena . If the study fails the test of a true science , then the question of its relevance must be addressed . The issue of whether it is useful as a tool of psychiatric practice in identifying mental diss should then be examined . The analysis of the data should include documented cases These cases should be subjected to the rigorous process of cross examination to see if the result would confirm what the study has found out

Communicating findings

One thing is for sure though the concept of repressed memories is not about to go away . The usefulness in criminal investigations may not be as reliable in getting convictions but its application in the field of psychology is invaluable . The findings of the study will confirm which way forward for the repressed memories debate . It may even encourage further studies to be able to confirm certain conclusions . The findings of this study need to be published in medical journals for the medical fraternity to comment on . The findings should be presented before a medical board to be defended and for them to give a report based on their assessments . For the medical practitioner the findings of the study may impact the way he will carry out further examinations of his patients . The need to incorporate proven methods in his practice will help standardize the way in which information is gleaned from the patients and help in identifying other medical challenges the patient may be facing . This data must be compared with data already available and find out if there are any similarities or differences between them This will either support the study or create new controversies

References

Daubert v . Merrell (1993 . Dow Pharmaceuticals , 509 U .S . 579

HYPERLINK "http /www .amazon .com /exec /obidos /ISBN /roberttoddcarrolA Loftus , Elizabeth (1994 )The Myth of repressed Memory New York : St Martin 's

Stewart , H .F (1962 . Repression : Experimental studies since 1943 Psychoanalysis the Psychoanalytic Review , 49 (1 , 93-99

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