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Episodic Memory. Reliability of Memory. All autobiographical memories more than two years old may contain inaccurate information. Emotional events are unlikely to be forgotten. Nevertheless, they are susceptible to post-event information.
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Reliability of Memory • All autobiographical memories more than two years old may contain inaccurate information. • Emotional events are unlikely to be forgotten. Nevertheless, they are susceptible to post-event information. • Memories of early childhood may be entirely the result of post event information.
Techniques for recovering memories • Repeated interrogation • Extended psychoanalysis • Regression therapy • Hypnosis • Sodium amytal
Recovered Memories are often of • Childhood sexual abuse. • Past lives. • Abduction by aliens.
“Recovered” memories are suspect because • Many cannot be true • Imaginary injuries (no scar) • Imaginary events • Murders, tunnels, etc. • Fantastic events • Flying, satanic visits, alien encounters, past lives • But are nonetheless deeply believed by the individual
Conclusion • One cannot know the extent to which a recovered memory is true or false (a confabulation).