A repressed memory is the memory of a traumatic event unconsciously retained in the mind, where it is said to adversely affect conscious thought, desire, and action. It is very much on the fringe of science.

One of the primary skeptics about repressed memory is Elizabeth Loftus. Scholars have ranked her among the top psychologists of the 20th century. She has been elected to the National Academy of Scientists, won the Grawemeyer Prize — the largest monetary prize in psychology — and written 20 books and more than 400 scientific articles.

She has testified or consulted about the fallibility of memory in hundreds of trials, including the McMartin Pre-School and Hillside Strangler cases. 

She is also a defendant in a suit by a former repressed memory case study “Jane Doe.” Doe who is now identifying herself as Nicole Taus has charged that Loftus invaded her privacy and defamed her by questioning her experiences.

The reality appears to be more like Taus doesn’t like being the poster child (even as “Jane Doe”) of people questioning this very questionable area of mental health. Furthermore, if this suit is successful, it could open the door to more scientists being sued for doing research. Not a good thing.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 21st, 2005 at 9:37 am by Insider and is filed under Big Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.