False memory syndrome
From RationalWiki
False memory syndrome refers to the situation where a person under questioning remembers events that did not happen. In some cases the memory can be proven false because of a conflict with dates, times, locations or people present. In other cases the memory is not easily refuted because it is part of an actual event or surfaces so long after the claimed event happened that locations are altered or gone, and peoples memories of events are unclear.
Accusations of physical, emotional or sexual abuse may be 'recovered' during therapy for anxiety or depression caused by an upset in an adult's life. Marriage, divorce, death of a family member, or loss of a job may trigger these episodes.
An example of this is the satanic ritual memory, where a child remembers waking up and searching for her parents. She finds them in the basement in robes, sacrificing a baby to Satan. In some versions the child is sexually abused and in others she witnesses the abuse of a sister, friend, or stranger. The people she claims were present were in fact at the house, but were invited for an evening of cocktails and card playing.
In cases of remembered sexual or physical abuse there are many hurdles to overcome in prosecuting the case. The statute of limitations on the alleged offense may have lapsed. Medical records from the time may have been destroyed, or the doctor involved moved, retired or died. The memories of a child after 10–20 years might be confused and details of testimony incorrect.
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[edit] Organizations and studies
[edit] FMS Foundation
The False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) is an organization of professionals in various fields who seek to address the issues raised by accusations of abuse. It is a non-profit organization that provides information to parents accused of abuse, adults who are claiming abuse, and professionals in law and medicine who need to deal with these claims. The organization also makes recommendations on techniques for counseling to avoid the therapist from 'leading' the patient into a fantasy.
The foundation was formed by a group of parents accused of sexual abuse by their adult children. Some accusations have been made that the Foundation is a 'front' for protecting pedophiles. [citation needed]
[edit] S.M.A.R.T
"We work toward this goal by disseminating information on the possible connections between secretive organizations, ritual abuse, and mind control...." False allegations of child sexual abuse by children are rare
[edit] The Leadership Council
"Our mission is to promote the ethical application of psychological science to human welfare."
A Systematic Examination of "False Memory Syndrome"
Research has consistently shown that false allegations of child sexual abuse by children are rare
[edit] Research
Research into planting false memories is of course a major ethical dilemma. Is the benefit gained offset by the damage done to the test subject. Limited tests were done to attempt to determine how susceptible children and adults are to a planted memory. It has been shown that the more plausible the story, particularly if it was something experienced before , the more successful the false memory was.
Basic research into how memories are formed, and what makes some memories very clear, while other memories of the same period fade or are forgotten provide some insight into how recollection and reinforcment can act, how time sequences may be distorted or how under pressure the memory gaps are 'filled in' with plausible events which never occurred.
[edit] External links
- ChildAbuseWiki on False memory syndrome, from where this article was originally copied
- False Memory Syndrome Foundation
- http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/1/res/dallam/6.html
- 1339 American Behavioral Scientist,Joanne M. Hall and Lori L. Kondora, "True" and "False" Child Sexual Abuse Memories and Casey’s Phenomenological View of Remembering
