Controversy
The controversy around recovered memory focuses on whether or not recovered memories are trustworthy. Despite evidence supporting the phenomenon of recovered memories, some people believe that it is impossible to completely forget and later recover a memory. Others believe the content of recovered memories is inaccurate, or that only certain types of memories can be recovered.
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Due to the traumatic nature of some recovered memories, our trust in recovered memories can greatly influence judicial cases, interpersonal relationships, and individual’s lives. Many of the people whose voice had a significant impact on the political climate surrounding recovered memory have a significant stake in this issue; such as those who’ve been accused of abuse, those who’ve recovered memories, and their families, friends, therapists, and lawyers.
Recovered memories have been a politically charged and controversial topic for many years. These pages serve to refute common false claims that undercut the validity of recovered memories. Topics such as scientific support, reliability of recovered memory, therapeutic influence, the scope of memory, and the capacity for forgetfulness are covered.
Significant People
Supporters of Recovered Memory
These pages provide a list of important figures who supported the validity of recovered memories during the controversy. Their biographies list their viewpoints, notable accomplishments, scientific contributions, and role in the debate surrounding recovered memory.
Proponents of False Memory Syndrome (FMS)
These pages provide a list of influential proponents of FMS. Their biographies document their dubious views on childhood sexual abuse, highlight breaches of ethics or purposefully misconstrued arguments, and provide an overview of their role in the controversy surrounding recovered memory.