A critical review of recovered memories in psychotherapy: Part I--Trauma and memory.
OBJECTIVE
The theoretical basis of the use of recovered memories in psychotherapy will be critically examined.


METHODS
Literature will be reviewed on the nature of normal memory, and on the relationship of trauma to memory.


RESULTS
Normal memories are surprisingly inaccurate. There is little evidence that normal memories can be repressed. There is no evidence that trauma makes repression more likely.


CONCLUSIONS
"Recovery" of repressed memories is not consistent with the findings of empirical research.
Paris
J
J
McGill University, Montréal, Québec.
D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*