Question

With respect to the controversy regarding reports of repressed memories of sexual abuse, statements by major psychological and psychiatric associations suggest that A. the accumulated experiences of our lives are all preserved somewhere in our minds B. the more stressful an experience is, the more quickly it will be consciously forgotten C. repression is the most common mechanism underlying the failure to recall early childhood abuse D. professional therapists can reliably distinguish between their clients' true and false childhood memories E. adult memories of experiences happening before age 3 are unreliable

Answer 1

Major psychological and psychiatric associations suggest that memories from before age three are generally unreliable. Research is split on whether traumatic experiences can be repressed and recovered, with one side arguing in favor and another challenging the methods and accuracy of such memory recovery. The debate has real-world implications for therapy and treating disorders like PTSD.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the controversy surrounding repressed memories of sexual abuse, the consensus among major psychological and psychiatric associations suggests that adult memories of experiences happening before age 3 are generally unreliable. The research on this topic has been divided, with one side supporting the idea that traumatic experiences can be repressed and later recovered intact through therapeutic techniques, while the other side, including researchers like Loftus, challenges the accuracy of such recovered memories and the methods used to elicit them.

The concept of false memory syndrome, where individuals recall events that never occurred, is particularly concerning in cases without independent witnesses. Moreover, defense mechanisms such as repression are proposed to block overwhelming memories from conscious awareness, potentially causing symptoms in other areas. These debates are not only academic but also have significant implications for therapy, including treatments for disorders like post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) where recollection impacts mental health.

Answer 2

The correct answer is E). adult memories of experiences happening before age 3 are unreliable Memories of traumatic events like sexual abuse may not be accurately recalled or reliable in adulthood. Recovered memories should be approached with caution due to the potential for false memory formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

With respect to the controversy regarding reports of repressed memories of sexual abuse, the statements by major psychological and psychiatric associations suggest that adult memories of experiences happening before age 3 are unreliable. This means that memories of events that occurred in early childhood, including traumatic events like sexual abuse, may not be accurately recalled or reliable in adulthood. The research on repressed memories also indicates that memories can be altered or influenced by suggestive questioning or therapeutic techniques, such as hypnosis or guided visualization.

Therefore, it is important to approach recovered memories with caution and consider the potential for false memory formation.