ABSTRACT

The British False Memory Society (BFMS) is a registered charity founded in 1993 in response to an epidemic of false claims of past childhood sexual abuse by adults in therapy. The accusers believe they have recovered unconscious memories of a hidden past, but scientific and other evidence raise the possibility of false memories or retrospective reappraisal. The BFMS aims to raise awareness about false memory and to reduce the impact of the resulting false accusations. Dr James Ost was an active member of the BFMS’s Scientific and Professional Advisory Board. Three lines of his research were particularly relevant to the work of the BFMS. The first of these was his investigations of retractors. His insights provided a deeper understanding of processes involved in the formation and subsequent rejection of false memories and beliefs relating to such allegations. He also carried out experimental studies providing empirical proof that false memories can be implanted under well controlled conditions. Finally, he carried out, and produced reviews of, surveys of misconceptions about the nature of memory, thus highlighting issues that have major implications for the working of the legal system. Dr Ost also served as an expert defence witness on a number of occasions.

摘要

英国错误记忆协会 (BFMS) 是一家注册慈善机构，成立于 1993 年，旨在应对成年人在治疗中对过去儿童性虐待的虚假声称的流行。原告认为他们已经恢复了对隐藏过去的无意识记忆，但科学和其他证据提出了错误记忆或回顾性重新评估的可能性。BFMS 旨在提高人们对虚假记忆的认识，并减少由此产生的虚假指控的影响。James Ost 博士是 BFMS 科学和专业顾问委员会的积极成员。他的三个研究方向与 BFMS 的工作特别相关。其中第一个是他对牵开器的调查。他的见解提供了对与此类指控有关的错误记忆和信念的形成和随后拒绝的过程的更深入理解。他还进行了实验研究，提供经验证据证明虚假记忆可以在良好控制的条件下植入。最后，他对关于记忆性质的误解进行了调查并进行了审查，从而突出了对法律制度的运作具有重大影响的问题。Ost 博士还多次担任专家辩护证人。从而突出对法律制度的运作有重大影响的问题。Ost 博士还多次担任专家辩护证人。从而突出对法律制度的运作有重大影响的问题。Ost 博士还多次担任专家辩护证人。