Therapists Implanting False Memories
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Davis and Dalgleish (2001) state that "false memory syndrome" is one of the most controversial issues in the mental health field, noting that essentially it involves recollection of memories (usually of sexual abuse) that were either falsely programmed or which are legitimately recovered. Bjorklund (2000) spells the notion of false memory syndrome out in more detail, conceptualizing it as a condition in which an individual's identify and interpersonal relationships center around a memory of a traumatic episode that is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes. It is not so much that the memory is inaccurate but rather that it is so deeply ingrained in the mind of the individual that it gives direction to his or her personality and lifestyle. In many cases, the person will avoid any and all confrontation with evidence that would challenge the memory, and the focus can become so obsessive that it distracts the individual from coping with his or her real problems in life. Loftus and Polage (1999) report that in most cases these false memories surface during therapy which has lead many to believe that certain therapists may be engaging in some behavior that operates to actually program an individual to believe, and very strongly, that these false recollections are true. The authors further note that while there has been some research into this possibility, the fact is that it is not known whether or how therapists might actually
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ticularly suggestible state.
Gow (1998) believes that some therapists may be more prone to this behavior than others. She feels that therapists with power and status or with the desire for power and status may be particularly prone to overstep their bounds in trying to produce recollection of memories they believe that clients have repressed. Gow also notes that if therapists have themselves been victims of some form of childhood trauma, they may be vulnerable to pressuring clients to remember in such a way that false memories are produced. However, she does note that there has been insufficient research on the phenomenon of false memory syndrome and that more work needs to be done.
Finally, it should be noted that suggestibility and the therapist's behavior and not the only factors that may operate to produce false memory syndrome. There are indications that additional factors include: fantasy proneness (Bryant, 1995); therapist expectations acting as demand cues of some sort (Newman & Baumeister, 1996); certain family dynamics such as resentments, fears, confusion and guilt in various familial relationships (Spanos, 1996); certain client beliefs held prior to entering therapy such as beliefs about the incidence of abuse a
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3843
Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page)
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