ABSTRACT

What does science tell us about memory phenomena such as false and repressed memories? This issue is highly pressing as incorrect knowledge about these memory phenomena might contribute to egregious effects in the courtroom such as false accusations of abuse. In the current article, we provide a succinct review of the scientific nature of false and repressed memories. We demonstrate that research has shown that about 30% of tested subjects formed false memories of autobiographical experiences. Furthermore, this empirical work has also revealed that such false memories can even be implanted for negative events and events that allegedly occurred repeatedly. Concerning the controversial topic of repressed memories, we show that plausible alternative explanations exist for why people claim to have forgotten traumatic experiences; explanations that do not require special memory mechanisms such as the unconscious blockage of traumatic memories. Finally, we demonstrate that people continue to believe that unconscious repression of traumatic incidents can exist. Disseminating scientifically articulated knowledge on the functioning of memory to contexts such as the courtroom is necessary as to prevent the occurrence of false accusations and miscarriages of justice.

摘要

关于记忆现象，例如虚假和压抑的记忆，科学告诉我们什么？这个问题非常紧迫，因为对这些记忆现象的错误认识可能会导致法庭上的严重后果，例如对虐待的错误指控。在当前的文章中，我们简要地回顾了虚假和被压抑的记忆的科学本质。我们证明研究表明，大约30％的受测者形成了自传经历的错误记忆。此外，这项经验研究还表明，这种错误的记忆甚至可以植入负面事件和据称重复发生的事件中。关于被压抑的记忆这个有争议的话题，我们表明对于为什么人们声称忘记了创伤经历，存在合理的替代解释。不需要特殊记忆机制的解释，例如无意识地阻塞创伤性记忆。最后，我们证明人们继续相信无意识地压制创伤事件是存在的。必须向诸如法庭之类的背景传播关于记忆功能的科学明确的知识，以防止发生错误的指控和司法不公。