Theory that memory may be stored in the unconscious mind
See also: Repression (psychoanalysis), Recovered-memory therapy, and Freud's seduction theory
Repressed memory is a controversial, and largely scientifically discredited, psychiatric phenomenon which involves an inability to recall autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature.[1] The concept originated in psychoanalytic theory where repression is understood as a defense mechanism that excludes painful experiences and unacceptable impulses from consciousness.[2] Repressed memory is presently considered largely unsupported by research.[1] Sigmund Freud initially claimed the memories of historical childhood trauma could be repressed, while unconsciously influencing present behavior and emotional responding; he later revised this belief.
While the concept of repressed memories persisted through much of the 1990s, insufficient support exists to conclude that memories can become inconspicuously hidden in a way that is distinct from forgetting.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Historically, some psychoanalysts provided therapy based on the belief that alleged repressed memories could be recovered, however, rather than promoting the recovery of a real repressed memory, such attempts could result in the creation of entirely false memories.[9][10][7] Subsequent accusations based on such "recovered memories" led to substantial harm of individuals implicated as perpetrators, sometimes resulting in false convictions and years of incarceration.[1]
Due to a lack of evidence for the concept of repressed and recovered memories, mainstream clinical psychologists have stopped using these terms. Clinical psychologist Richard McNally stated: "The notion that traumatic events can be repressed and later recovered is the most pernicious bit of folklore ever to infect psychology and psychiatry. It has provided the theoretical basis for 'recovered memory therapy'—the worst catastrophe to befall the mental health field since the lobotomy era."[11]
^ abcLoftus, Elizabeth; Ketchum, Katherine (1994). The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse. New York, NY: St. Martins Press. ISBN 0312114540.
^"repression". APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
^McNally, R.J. (2004). "The Science and Folklore of Traumatic Amnesia". Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 11 (1): 29–33. doi:10.1093/clipsy/bph056.
^McNally RJ (2007). "Dispelling confusion about traumatic dissociative amnesia". Mayo Clin. Proc. 82 (9): 1083–90. doi:10.4065/82.9.1083. PMID 17803876.
^McNally RJ (2005). "Debunking myths about trauma and memory". Can J Psychiatry. 50 (13): 817–22. doi:10.1177/070674370505001302. PMID 16483114. S2CID 9069287.
^ abMcNally, RJ (September 2007). "Dispelling confusion about traumatic dissociative amnesia". Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 82 (9): 1083–90. doi:10.4065/82.9.1083. PMID 17803876.
^Otgaar, Henry; Howe, Mark; Patihis, Lawrence; Merckelbach, Harald; Lynn, Stephen; Lilienfeld, Scott; Loftus, Elizabeth (2019). "The return of the repressed: The persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma". Perspectives on Psychological Science. 14 (6): 1072–1095. doi:10.1177/1745691619862306. PMC 6826861. PMID 31584864.
^Amicus Curiae brief in Taus v. Loftus (Supreme Court of California February 21, 2006).
^Watters, Ethan (September 27, 2022). "The Forgotten Lessons of the Recovered Memory Movement". The New York Times.
^McNally, Richard. "Dr. Richard McNally Letter to the California Supreme Court". Religious Tolerance. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
Repressedmemory is a controversial, and largely scientifically discredited, psychiatric phenomenon which involves an inability to recall autobiographical...
The Myth of RepressedMemory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse is a 1994 book by Elizabeth Loftus and Katherine Ketcham, published by St...
age regression and interpretation of "body memories" especially where the therapist believes repressedmemories of traumatic events are the cause of their...
Eidetic memory (/aɪˈdɛtɪk/ eye-DET-ik), also known as photographic memory and total recall, is the ability to recall an image from memory with high precision—at...
recovered memory theory point to a wide variety of common problems, ranging from eating disorders to sleeplessness, as evidence of repressedmemories of sexual...
have on patients is repressedmemory. The theory/reality of repressedmemory is the idea that an event is so traumatic, that the memory was not forgotten...
psychological theory of repressedmemory, a controversial proposition which asserts people can recall memories which have been repressed, frequently because...
formulas. There is greater understanding if students commit a formula to memory through exercises that use the formula rather than through rote repetition...
Durst. She has also written many books, including The Myth of RepressedMemory: False Memories & Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Witness for the Defense....
by critics of the concept of repressedmemories that dissociative amnesia is merely a rebranding of the repressedmemory concept. Dissociative amnesia...
During the recovered memory debate of the 1990s, cognitive psychologists were dubious about whether specific memories could be repressed. One stumbling block...
Since then, he has lacked the ability to form new memories and cannot recall aspects of his memories, frequently believing that he has only recently awoken...
working memory. Other suggested names were short-term memory, primary memory, immediate memory, operant memory, and provisional memory. Short-term memory is...
(/nɪˈmɒnɪk/ nih-MON-ik) or memory device is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval in the human memory, often by associating the...
excision repair pathway (see Epigenetics in learning and memory). The pattern of induced and repressed genes in brain neurons subsequent to an intense learning...
Episodic memory is the memory of everyday events (such as times, location geography, associated emotions, and other contextual information) that can be...
also known as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), is a condition that leads people to be able to remember an abnormally...
on memory implantation were published in the context of the debate about repressedmemories and the possible danger of digging for lost memories in therapy...
of people claim to have eidetic memory, but science has never found a single verifiable case of photographic memory. Eidetic imagery is virtually nonexistent...
that incorporate reincarnation generally do not include the idea of repressedmemories of past lives. The technique used during past-life regression involves...
memories. When this occurs without the person knowing it is usually referred to as memory inhibition; the memory itself is called a repressedmemory....
past trauma. The idea of body memory is a belief frequently associated with the idea of repressedmemories, in which memories of incest or sexual abuse can...
concept is the strength of memory that refers to the durability that memory traces in the brain. The stronger the memory, the longer period of time that...
Memory consolidation is a category of processes that stabilize a memory trace after its initial acquisition. A memory trace is a change in the nervous...
Exceptional memory is the ability to have accurate and detailed recall in a variety of ways, including hyperthymesia, eidetic memory, synesthesia, and...
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