A court ruled case on therapy‐induced false memories

Otgaar, Henry; Curci, Antonietta; Mangiulli, Ivan; Battista, Fabiana; Rizzotti, Elisa; Sartori, Giuseppe

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.15073

Cited by 18 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…By denying that CSA occurred, children who disclosed at T1 and, as adults, recanted at T2 could avoid discussing a potentially distressing experience that often implicated family members. Alternatively, the T1 CSA disclosure could have been false (Ceci & Bruck, 1995; Otgaar et al, 2022), perhaps especially given the leading nature of the T1 interviewing. However, corroborative evidence was more likely for those who recanted than for others, increasing the likelihood that CSA occurred.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Longitudinal Study of Disclosures and Denials

et al. 2023

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In legal cases regarding child sexual abuse (CSA), children have various options, such as to disclose or deny maltreatment. When interviewed in adulthood, their accounts may be consistent with their childhood responses. Alternatively, denial in childhood could be followed in adulthood by disclosure (“deferred disclosure”), confirming previous suspicions. Or the adults could possibly recant. We conducted a longitudinal study of CSA disclosures and denials ( N = 99; Time 1 [T1], 3- to 16-year-olds). T1 CSA disclosures and denials at a forensic unit were compared to the individuals’ responses 20 years later (Time 2 [T2]. 22- to 37-years-old). We found that consistent disclosure was associated with being older at T1 and female. Deferred disclosure was significantly associated with greater T2 trauma-related symptoms. Corroboration and higher CSA severity predicted T2 recantation. Consistent denial was related to less severe CSA. Our findings add to knowledge about CSA disclosures, which affect legal pathways available to child victims.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Longitudinal Study of Disclosures and Denials

et al. 2023

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“…All questions relating to memory functioning are therefore asked to experts officially registered on lists of experts, who are mainly clinical practitioners (Dodier, 2018) unlike other countries practices where the role of memory experts exists, and this regardless of whether the legal system is inquisitorial or adversarial (e.g., Italy: Otgaar, Curci, et al, 2022; New Zealand: Zajac et al, 2013; United Kingdom: Conway, 2013; United States: Brainerd, 2013; The Netherlands: Otgaar et al, 2017).…”

Section: There Is No Official Role For Memory Experts In the French L...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, in a high-profile case in France concerning the murder of a 5-year-old child whose body has never been found, psychologists and psychiatrists were sought as to why the two defendants (the mother and stepfather) stated that they could not remember where they had buried the young girl's body. 2 All questions relating to memory functioning are therefore asked to experts officially registered on lists of experts, who are mainly clinical practitioners (Dodier, 2018) unlike other countries practices where the role of memory experts exists, and this regardless of whether the legal system is inquisitorial or adversarial (e.g., Italy: Otgaar, Curci, et al, 2022;New Zealand: Zajac et al, 2013;United Kingdom: Conway, 2013;United States: Brainerd, 2013;The Netherlands: Otgaar et al, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

France lags behind in the application of memory science in the courtroom.

Dodier¹,

Morlet-Rivelli²,

Verkampt³

2023

Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition

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France has a strong psychoanalytical tradition in the application of psychology, and the legal field is no exception. In this article, we discuss the consequences of the limited use in court of knowledge about memory from cognitive sciences. As illustrations, we present published data showing the limited knowledge of French expert witnesses on memory and a brief overview of two reports highlighting the failure of expert witnesses to mobilize reliable scientific knowledge in their reports and in the courtroom. Finally, we propose recommendations for improving practices.

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“…In contrast, some memory researchers argued that in attempting to exhume memories therapists could apply suggestive interview techniques that could lead to false memories (Loftus & Ketcham, 1996;Otgaar et al, in press). In certain situations, these false memories resulted in false accusations and wrongful convictions, tearing families apart (Loftus, 1994;Otgaar et al, 2022).…”

Section: The Debate On Repressed Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing beliefs in repressed memory and dissociative amnesia

Otgaar

Mangiulli

Riesthuis

et al. 2022

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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In three studies, we examined whether beliefs in repressed memory and dissociative amnesia could be changed. Participants provided agreement ratings to statements related to repressed memory and dissociative amnesia. Then, they received a university course which included education on the science of memory. Following this, participants had to re-rate the statements. In Study 3, at Times 1 and 2, participants also received a case vignette on a therapy-induced recovered memory and rated several statements related to this case. Participants who received education on the science of memory were less likely to agree with statements endorsing repressed memory and dissociative amnesia-and participants were more likely to state that the case vignette involved a false memory. Providing education on the science of memory can help people (e.g., legal professionals, people from the general population) to use critical thinking on the topic of repressed memory and dissociative amnesia.

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A court ruled case on therapy‐induced false memories

Cited by 18 publications

References 53 publications

Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Longitudinal Study of Disclosures and Denials

Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Longitudinal Study of Disclosures and Denials

France lags behind in the application of memory science in the courtroom.

Changing beliefs in repressed memory and dissociative amnesia

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