False Memory Syndrome with Pam Freyd

The recovered memory debacle of the late 1980's to mid 1990's is a particularly egregious example of illogical, uncritical thinking. On November 15, Dr. Pamela Freyd, psychiatrist and executive director of the Philadelphia- based False Memory Syndrome Foundation, discussed the history and present status of recovered memories and described how memories are made.

The movement began with an explosion of child sex abuse accusations primarily against parents of adult children and against child care workers. In the majority of cases, the accusations involved suddenly remembering elaborate episodes of abuse that were bizarre beyond credibility and often followed extensive coaching, and sometimes badgering, of claimants by therapists and law enforcement personnel. Those who resisted believing the recovered memories were told "the proof of the abuse is that you forgot it," a frightening statement.

In spite of no physical evidence to support charges, many innocent people went to jail, some with very long sentences. The situation was fueled by a few highly publicized cases involving Hollywood celebrities as claimants.

The falsely accused vigorously denied the charges but were told they were "in denial". As one father stated, "If you didn't do something, wouldn't you deny doing it??" Those with the resources to fight back began suing the therapists for malpractice. The most famous of these cases involved a sales executive from the Mondavi Winery who was accused by a daughter of raping her and the family dog. The case, supported partly by her treatment with "truth serum", dragged on for years. Although he was successful, he was only rewarded $500,000, not much compensation for losing his wife and family, all of whom believed the daughter.

Eventually more clear thought prevailed. To believe recovered repressed memories, one must believe that it is possible to forget years of horrific abuse and disbelieve the mounting evidence, much of it provided by Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, that memories can be created and manipulated. Therapists were being successfully sued for creating false memories and insurance companies were refusing to pay for such treatment.

It's tempting to think this issue of recovered memory is over, having been so thoroughly debunked, but as we have seen repeatedly, lack of critical thinking can appear anywhere, anytime, as the recent Clergy abuse scandal, some of which was fueled by recovered memories, has shown.

Additional information for this article came from The Tragedies of False Memories, Martin Gardner, Skeptical Inquirer, Vol 18, Fall 1994.