History
Key Studies
Pope et al. (2007): searched for evidence of dissociative amnesia in ancient times,
failed and concluded = dissociative amnesia is a culture-bound syndrome meaning it
is not naturally occurring everywhere and is affected by culture.
Fanz Mesmer (1979): created ‘mesmerism’ which is a therapeutic system leading to
hypnosis and trance work, reliant on the subjective truth.
Pierre Janet: trauma can cause dissociation.
Breuer & Freud (1893): formulated the ideas of repressed memories, catharises and
blocked trauma.
Prince (1906): severe trauma can lead to dissociation that creates multiple
personalities.
Lanning (1989): there is very little substantive evidence of most or all satanic abuse
recovered memory cases.
Patihis et al. (2014): 64% of undergraduates believe repressed memories can be
recalled accurately, as well as 16% of psychologists (researchers) and 43% of
practitioners.
Loftus & Ketcham (1994): repression is a philosophical entity, requiring a leap of faith
to believe it.
Case Studies
Michelle Remembers: written by Lawrence Pazder
- recovery of satanic abuse memories through hypnosis
- no memories of these events before therapy
- the recovered memories even went into the supernatural world
McMartin Preschool Case: Lawrence Pazder as a consult for the case
- trial ran from 1987-1990, no convictions
- 100s of children interviewed, methods were biased, suggestive and asking to
pretend that the abuse did happen
- 2005: one child retracted all claims and said they were coerced to lie
The Franklin Case:
- 1969 Susan Nason disappeared, body found 3 months later, 20years after Eileen
Franklin recovered memories of her father (George Franklin) committing the murder
and rape
- George found guilty of the charges based on Eileen’s memories alone
- 1995 decision overturned as it was revealed Eileen’s memories were realised
through hypnosis
- Eileens recalled her father committing 2 other murders but DNA analyses ruled him
out
Ramona Case:
- Holly Ramona recovered memories of her father raping her through therapy
- father sued the therapist
Key Studies
Pope et al. (2007): searched for evidence of dissociative amnesia in ancient times,
failed and concluded = dissociative amnesia is a culture-bound syndrome meaning it
is not naturally occurring everywhere and is affected by culture.
Fanz Mesmer (1979): created ‘mesmerism’ which is a therapeutic system leading to
hypnosis and trance work, reliant on the subjective truth.
Pierre Janet: trauma can cause dissociation.
Breuer & Freud (1893): formulated the ideas of repressed memories, catharises and
blocked trauma.
Prince (1906): severe trauma can lead to dissociation that creates multiple
personalities.
Lanning (1989): there is very little substantive evidence of most or all satanic abuse
recovered memory cases.
Patihis et al. (2014): 64% of undergraduates believe repressed memories can be
recalled accurately, as well as 16% of psychologists (researchers) and 43% of
practitioners.
Loftus & Ketcham (1994): repression is a philosophical entity, requiring a leap of faith
to believe it.
Case Studies
Michelle Remembers: written by Lawrence Pazder
- recovery of satanic abuse memories through hypnosis
- no memories of these events before therapy
- the recovered memories even went into the supernatural world
McMartin Preschool Case: Lawrence Pazder as a consult for the case
- trial ran from 1987-1990, no convictions
- 100s of children interviewed, methods were biased, suggestive and asking to
pretend that the abuse did happen
- 2005: one child retracted all claims and said they were coerced to lie
The Franklin Case:
- 1969 Susan Nason disappeared, body found 3 months later, 20years after Eileen
Franklin recovered memories of her father (George Franklin) committing the murder
and rape
- George found guilty of the charges based on Eileen’s memories alone
- 1995 decision overturned as it was revealed Eileen’s memories were realised
through hypnosis
- Eileens recalled her father committing 2 other murders but DNA analyses ruled him
out
Ramona Case:
- Holly Ramona recovered memories of her father raping her through therapy
- father sued the therapist
