False memory debate

False memory debate

1. A debate surrounding whether or not a memory of an individual is of a real event that has been repressed as a defence mechanism (recovered memory) or whether it is a me memory of an event that did not happen and has been implanted but the person believes it to be true

2. Study

   • Loftus and Ketchum, interviewed people about events that had happened in their childhood. Some were real however one event which did not happen was included. They were then later interviewed about the events again and many of the recalled the false event.
   • A problem is that being lost in a shopping mall is a plausible event and therefore the results do not tell us whether it is possible to implant a memory of a less plausible event such as abuse
   • Williams: P's who had been sexually abused from the ages of 10 months-12 years were interviewed 17 years later. Found that 38% denied ever being abused. This shows that the information had been repressed
     • -may have been too young to remember
     • May have been protecting parents
     • May have been embarrassed

3. Repression: a defence mechanism whereby unpleasant memories are forced into the unconscious mind and are not available to the conscious

4. Evaluation