Beyond Repressed Memory: Current Alternative Solutions to the Controversy

Olivier Dodier*, Henry Otgaar, Ivan Mangiulli

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Debates surrounding the origin of recovered memories of child abuse have traditionally focused on two conflicting arguments, namely that these memories are either false memories or instances of repressed memories (i.e., reflecting the idea that people can unconsciously block traumatic autobiographical experiences and eventually regain access). While scientific evidence for the first is clearly established, the second is the subject of a controversy in the academic, clinical, and legal fields. This controversy rages on today. In this introductory article to our topic “Beyond Repressed Memory: Current Alternative Solutions to the Controversy,” we present alternative and more parsimonious explanations for repressed memories that we sorted into three categories: cognitive, motivational, and biological factors. Our aim is to provide a timely overview to help clinical and legal professionals, academics, and the general public to move beyond the idea that traumatic memories can be unconsciously repressed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)574-589
Number of pages16
JournalTopics in Cognitive Science
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Memory
  • Amnesia
  • Repression
  • Trauma
  • Forgetting
  • FALSE MEMORY
  • TRAUMATIC MEMORIES
  • CHILDHOOD
  • STRESS
  • DISSOCIATION
  • AMNESIA
  • LOOKING

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