BY LIA ROWLAND
This journal article, Scientific Status of Recovered Memories by Chris R. Brewin summarizes the status of recovered memories in the scientific world today. There is much debate on this issue. Many psychologists and other professional people who work in fields that this concept applies, believe that repressed memories Zcan happen and do exist. On the other side of the issue are the scientists that demand for more hard evidence that such a concept is possible. These people believe that repressed memories are just a product of therapeutic suggestion and are not real. They believe this because there have been a number occasions when the recovered memories have been found to be entirely or partly false. However, there have also been many cases where the recovered memories have been accurate to the smaller details. This is the evidence that the believers base their assumptions on.
Most of repressed memories are from traumatic childhood events, most commonly, sexual abuse. Because these types of event usually occur in private, and are not reported at the time, documented evidence is nearly impossible to find. It is because of this that repressed memor ies are difficult to prove . What is needed is evidence that there is an inhibitory process within the brain that controls memory and could keep memories out of your consciousness for a period of time. Studies on repressed memory have been and are currently under way. Scientists of all sorts are working on learning more about repressed memories. More knowledge about the concept is what is needed to ensure that it can hold a credible position within the science world. If the bottom of this issue can be reached it will benefit people everywhere who use repressed memory in their therapy or other line of work, such as the law.
It is my belief that repressed memories do exist, however they are a function within the brain that is just too complex for scientists to understand at the moment. I think that the technology that the future will bring will further the understanding of this issue.
REFERENCE
Brewin, C. R. (1996).Scientific Status of Recovered Memories. British journal of Psychiatry, 169, 131-134