PSYC 575 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY False Memories and Childhood Sexual Abuse _2024.pdf

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False Memories and Childhood Sexual Abuse

Shari M. Kern

Department of Psychology, Liberty University

PSY 575: Cognitive Psychology

Professor Olivia Marks

May 6, 2023

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Abstract

False memories of childhood sexual abuse have drawn much attention from both the therapeutic

false ones. Furthermore, this research paper will underline the consequences of these findings for

clinical practice and legal actions.

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False Memories and Childhood Sexual Abuse

Introduction

might happen if a therapist suggests or pushes the person to recollect any abuse they may have

repressed or forgotten (Coleman et al., 2001).

It is crucial to remember, though, that most people who disclose childhood sexual abuse

were, in fact, victims of it. A person's health and emotional well-being may be negatively

impacted by CSA in the long run by this, terrible and devastating experience (Wolf & Nochajski,

2022).

Body

Adults engaging in sexual activity with children under the age of consent or are not

competent to understand the nature and repercussions of the sexual encounter are childhood

sexual abusers. There is no consenting sex between a youngster and an adult, lawfully and

righteously. The effects of such abuse frequently alter how individuals develop and relate to

others in later life (Brandon et al., 1998, p. 296). “Regrettably, due to the fears of women and

children not being believed or held responsible for it themselves, women and children do not

speak out about the devastating experiences of CSA (Brandon et al., 1998, p. 296).

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So, women and children started speaking out about the CSA in the 1970s; the issue was

that they had no difficulties recollecting what had happened. In the 1980s, there were reports of a

The critical concern is whether or not fabricated memories of sexual abuse as a child are

accurate. According to research, children who have experienced CSA may be more prone to

struggle with particular components of autobiographical recall. For instance, individuals might

work to recall exact details about past events, exhibit a more considerable inclination to avoid

thinking about previous trauma, or have hazy recollections due to disconnection or other coping

processes. (Ogle et al., 2013).

It is thought that people with emotional disorders have difficulties assessing detailed parts

of their personal life. For instance, an Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) was performed on

“suicide attempters and healthy controls to generate clear autobiographical memories of a

sequence of emotional-related prompt words” (Hauer et al., para.1). The results showed that the

“suicide attempters were more likely to give an over-general answer than to respond with

memories of a detailed event” (Hauer et al., para. 1). “Further research on trauma and women

who experienced CSA and depression showed decreased specificity proportionate to depressed

women affirming no abuse” (Kuyten & Brewin, 1995, as cited in Hauer et al., 2008, para. 2).

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According to hypotheses, the diminished ability to recollect specific memories from past

life experiences is a protective mechanism to help balance the negative feelings associated with

129 women that reported and documented CSA 17 years earlier. The results showed that 38% of

these women did not recall CSA from the previous years, and 32% denied ever being sexually

assaulted. Of the women who did not remember the sexual abuse, 68% revealed other personal

histories such as abortions, prostitution, and recent sexual assault but not involving the individual

who first assaulted them 17 years ago” (p. 1169). The study suggested that early-aged-related

memory issues did not support the results and the affiliation to the perpetrator was a key variable

(Williams, 1994). Williams inferred that no recall of CSA is a common experience for women

with a recorded history of it. “To further support William's research, 60% of British therapists

said they treated at least one person with recovered memories. In comparison, 47% said they

treated at least one person with recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse” (Andrews et al.,

1995, as cited in Dobson & Prout, 1998).

There have been several proponents of autobiographical memories and childhood sexual

abuse; however, many believe autobiographical memories and childhood sexual abuse are all-out

untrue. False memory syndrome describes the recovery of intense memories of experiences that

did not occur and once challenged the psychotherapy profession (Brandon et al., p. 297).

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A technique that was first popular in the United States was known as recovered memory

therapy (Boakes, 1995, para. 4). Several mental health professionals used specific recall memory

relative murdered and other grave tragedies (para. 6).

After years of investigating repressed memories in a laboratory, it produced unconfirmed,

weak evidence (Boakes, 1995, para. 5). Boakes (1995) also states, “The reality is that repression

is a meta-psychological metaphor and should not be taken literally” (para. 5). Another study

contends that the practice of recovered memory procedures like hypnosis nurtures the

imagination, which people muddle up for memories of actual occurrences (McNally, 2016). On

the other side, studies claim that the only practice for dealing with repressed memories may be

hypnosis and other recovered memory techniques used by survivors of childhood sexual assault

(Brown et al., 1998, as cited in McNally, 2016).

There is disagreement among the sources about recovered memories and CSA. On the

one hand, reports about recovered CSA are fabricated. They are manipulated by ineffective,

untrained therapists who destroy loving homes. The other argument, however, counters that

memories of childhood sexual abuse can resurface decades later. The CSA survivors are being

defended by one side, while the therapists and accused abusers are supported by the other. The

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people involved in this conflict have obligations under the law and ethical principles (Dobson &

Prout, 1998).

The first theory looks at the potential of hypnosis, and the authors presume that jurors

would decide favorable verdicts for the victim who underwent hypnosis. The second theory

looks at the drawbacks of hypnosis, and the authors believe that jurors would decide unfavorable

judgments in a malpractice case to the therapist that uses hypnosis. The third theory is based on

the professional qualifications of the therapist. The authors presume the jurors would decide

favorable verdicts in cases alleging childhood sexual abuse in recovered memory and therapist

malpractice. The more clinical experience, the better education and training the therapist had; the

jurors would regard them more highly. The fourth theory is that jurors would decide more

unfavorable verdicts in a recovered memory testimony and more favorable rulings for alleged

perpetrators in a malpractice case (Coleman et al., 2001).

There were two studies conducted. Study 1 (Suit, Alleging Sexual Abuse) measured the

accuracy of recovered memories, the credibility of the plaintiff’s testimony, the therapist's

competence, and the favorability of verdicts for the plaintiff or the dependent.

Study 2 (Suit, Alleging Therapist Malpractice) measured the likelihood that the recovery method

created false memories, the therapist’s responsibility for harming the plaintiff, the therapist’s

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competence, and the favorability of verdicts for the plaintiff or the defendant (Coleman et al.,

2001).

at all competent, or entirely in favor of the plaintiff) to 7 (altogether accurate, entirely credible,

thoroughly competent, or completely in favor for the defendant). In addition, two multiple-

choice questions were used to see if the participants accurately identified the misuse of the

recovery method and the therapist's educational level (Coleman et al., 2001).

Study 2 looked at the competence of the therapist and malpractice cases. In this study,

one hundred and forty college undergraduates, including 40 men and 100 women between 18 and

40, participated in the survey. Participants were given three fictional cases involving recovered

memory testimony based on therapist conduct. The measure that was used was similar to Study

1. In Study 2, four, 7-point items ranging from 1 (not, not at all responsible, not at all competent,

or entirely in favor of the plaintiff) to 7 (definitely yes, altogether trustworthy, fully qualified, or

entirely in favor of the defendant). In addition, three multiple-choice questions were used to see

if the participants accurately identified the misuse of the recovery method, the therapist’s

educational level, and the plaintiff’s identity (Coleman et al., 2001).

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Study 1 revealed the positive expectations about hypnosis that may become primary in

cases of childhood sexual abuse and recovered memories. Study 2 demonstrated the negative

Nevertheless, in the malpractice case, it was found that the therapist was incompetent in child

abuse cases using hypnosis. The author's prediction that hypnosis would be associated with less

therapeutic competence was not proven. As for the therapist’s education level, the mock jurors

did not influence the verdicts in childhood sexual abuse or malpractice cases. The authors

predicted it would. Either way, false memories risk the internal legitimacy of the proceedings and

compromise the court cases of plaintiffs and defendants in the same way (Coleman et al., 2001).

Is there a specific answer to the issue of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse?

Many would say that the side of the debate should be dismissed using the broad no-evidence

approach. It is possible that there is not enough substantiation because it has not been understood

yet or because the idea is implausible (Dobson & Prout, 1998).

The argument of false and recovered memories is still up for debate for several reasons:

1) The offensive and aggressive tone; 2) The common acceptance of responsibility; and 3) The

confusing and distinctive terminology used to explain the processes of remembering and

forgetting (Dobson & Prout, 1998, para. 35). “Efforts by writers such as Lindsay (1994, 1995) to