Final answer:
Geraerts et al.'s study examined individuals with memories of trauma and found that the group with recovered memories displayed the lowest percentage of previously recalled items. There is ongoing debate in psychology regarding repressed and recovered memories, with differing views on their accuracy and reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the study by Geraerts et al. (2006), individuals with memories of trauma were asked to recall events from their childhood three times over three months. The researchers found that the group with recovered memories of trauma displayed the lowest percentage of previously recalled items.
This study is part of the ongoing debate surrounding repressed and recovered memories in psychology. Some researchers argue that traumatic memories can be repressed and later recalled intact, while others, like Loftus, challenge this idea and suggest that memories can be influenced or distorted through therapeutic techniques like hypnosis or guided visualization.
Research suggests that having no memory of childhood sexual abuse is quite common in adults, with some studies showing that individuals may forget these experiences. However, there is controversy and debate within the field of psychology regarding the accuracy and reliability of repressed and recovered memories.