False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 10 No 04 - 2001 julyaug

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated July/August 2001, Volume 10, Number 4, focuses on the evolving landscape of recovered memory research, legal implications, and the broader context of memory and therapy. The cover headline emphasizes the changing attitudes towards recovered memories since the foundation's inception.

Elizabeth Loftus and the Changing Attitudes Towards Memory

The lead article highlights the prestigious William James Award given to Elizabeth Loftus by the American Psychological Society. The text of the award and Loftus's acceptance speech are reprinted, underscoring her pioneering scientific work on memory and its impact on legal and societal understanding. Loftus's research has contributed to the realization that compelling memories, especially those related by witnesses, can be reconstructive rather than objective reality. The article notes that while many professionals were privately sympathetic to the FMS issue, Loftus's public recognition signifies a broader shift in acceptance.

Loftus's acceptance speech reflects on the irony of receiving the award given the hostility and opposition she has faced for her work discrediting recovered-memory therapy. She describes being targeted with threats and defamatory falsehoods, and the need to defend open scientific inquiry. She also references the case of Scott Lilienfeld, whose article on the collision of politics and science faced rejection until a campaign ensured its publication, emphasizing the importance of defending peer review.

Legal Developments and Cases

The newsletter details several significant legal cases and developments:

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision: In *Johnson v. Rogers Memorial Hospital*, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that parents have the right to sue their daughter's therapists and hospital for allegedly implanting memories of abuse. This decision allows for more thorough investigation before cases are dismissed, enabling parents to question therapists' credentials and licensing.
• New York Court of Appeals on Eyewitness Testimony: In *People v. Lee*, New York's highest court allowed expert witnesses to testify about the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. This is significant given that eyewitness testimony played a role in a large number of exonerations of death row inmates.
• Colorado Therapists Sentenced: Connell Watkins and Julie Ponder, psychotherapists convicted of reckless child abuse resulting in the death of Candace Newmaker, were each sentenced to 16 years in prison. The article details the "Rebirthing/Attachment Therapy" used and notes that other children have died in similar sessions.
• Logerquist Decision: Comments on the *Logerquist v. McVey* decision from the Arizona State Law Journal are included, criticizing the court's adherence to the "general acceptance" standard over the "scientific soundness" standard and its apparent disregard for scientific evidence.

Scientific Research and Commentary on Memory

The issue features several articles and commentaries on memory research:

• Make My Memory: How Advertising Can Change Our Memories of the Past: This study by Braun, Ellis, and Loftus demonstrated that nostalgic autobiographical advertisements could lead subjects to believe they had experienced events depicted in the ads, highlighting the malleability of memory.
• Everyday Irrationality: An excerpt from Robyn Dawes's book discusses how pseudo-scientists and others fail to think rationally, with a focus on recognizing irrational thinking.
• "Recovered Memories: Fact or Fiction": An article from *Physician* journal, published by Focus on the Family, is noted for openly addressing the problem of false memories.
• The Seven Sins of Memory: A review of Daniel L. Schacter's book introduces the concept of memory errors: transience, absentmindedness, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence.
• The Truth and Hype of Hypnosis: An article from *Scientific American* summarizes current understanding of hypnosis, contrasting popular beliefs with facts and noting its potential to muddle the distinction between memory and fantasy.
• A Few Concerns About Applying the Research by Anderson and Green: August Piper Jr., M.D., critically examines research on memory repression, questioning its application to children and the definition of "repression" in the context of recovered memories. He argues that the experiments may support Freud's original concept of repression but not the modern understanding used in repressed-memory therapy.

FMSF Foundation Updates

The newsletter includes updates on the FMSF's operations:

• Financial Update: The audit report for the fiscal year March 1, 2000, through February 28, 2001, shows that 70 cents of every dollar spent went to program services, with reduced expenses compared to previous years.
• Membership: The Foundation has changed its membership handling to a calendar-year basis, prorating renewals through December 31, 2001, to simplify administrative tasks.
• Survey Update: Readers are reminded to return their FMSF 2001 Survey Update by August 31.
• Special Thanks: A thank you is extended to those who help prepare the newsletter, including editorial support, columnists, and readers.

Other Sections

• The Netherlands: Information about a website designed by members of the Working Party FMS.
• Ombudsman Report: An update on a commission formed to investigate the status of scientific knowledge on recovered memories.
• New Zealand: Announcement of a new website for COSA New Zealand.
• A Loss: An obituary for Jerry Barr, father of comedienne Roseanne, who had accused her parents of abuse.
• Legal Corner: Discusses the Wisconsin Supreme Court case and New York's highest court ruling on eyewitness testimony.
• Updates of Cases: Brief summaries of legal cases in Wenatchee and Illinois involving allegations related to recovered memories and therapy.
• Rebirthing Therapy: The Money Trail: An in-depth look at the financial aspects and tragic outcomes associated with "Rebirthing Therapy."
• What Parents Can and Can't Do: Allen Feld discusses the challenges parents face when seeking retractions from offspring who have made false accusations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing debate and evolving understanding of recovered memories, the critical role of scientific research in informing public and legal opinion, and the dangers of unscientific or abusive therapeutic practices. The FMS Foundation consistently advocates for a science-based approach to memory and therapy, aiming to counter misinformation and protect individuals and families from the harms associated with flawed therapeutic interventions and memory claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous scientific inquiry and critical evaluation of memory claims, particularly those made in therapeutic or legal contexts.

The FMS Foundation Newsletter, Volume 10, Number 4, published in July/August 2001, is a 15-page issue focused on personal stories and resources related to False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and Recovered Memory Therapy (RMT).

The Silence

This section features a letter from a mother whose daughter, estranged for 14 years, sent a condolence card after her husband's death. The mother initially debated responding but eventually sent a brief note of appreciation. Seven months of silence followed, but she treasures the card as a sign of compassion. The daughter's relationship with her mother is described as 'still in progress'.

Reconciliation

Another mother shares her experience with her 'accusing' daughter. While her other two children remained in contact, the accused daughter eventually began calling. The mother did not mention the accusations and allowed her daughter to reunite with the family on her own terms. Family gatherings began, and the daughter started to signal her awareness that the accusations were false, such as asking to spend the night with her mother. The mother notes that her daughter's life had been going nowhere until she left her therapist and that her future husband encouraged her to reconnect with her family.

Just in Time

This account details a daughter's reconciliation with her parents after a period of estrangement, prompted by her father's cancer diagnosis. The daughter, unaware of the family situation, called expressing concern for her father. Her father, having made peace and forgiven her, expressed a welcoming sentiment. Shortly after her visit, the father passed away. The daughter initially declined to attend the funeral but changed her mind. The mother reflects on her daughter's emotional distress following the events, questioning if it stemmed from remorse or guilt. She notes that the 'accusing daughter' and son remain in contact, though the younger daughter still struggles to forgive. The mother expresses a dilemma about initiating dialogue or remaining quiet, praying to see her daughter 'come to her senses'. She thanks the FMSF for providing a platform for such family crises.

Safe Not Sorry

A father writes about his family's decision not to take back their 'returner' daughters and sons without a retraction of false charges. He cites legal risks, including the possibility of renewed charges and lawsuits, nine years after the initial accusations. He advises caution, suggesting that parents ensure they are never alone with children or grandchildren who exhibit the 'it's not my fault' syndrome and to question the motives behind a return without apology, considering potential financial implications.

No Hope

This letter describes a daughter's relapse after eight years of sobriety, coinciding with her 'discovery' of being gay and entering a relationship. The parents are accepting of her new life but wonder if there's a correlation between homosexuality and repressed memories. The mother expresses a sense of loss and difficulty in reconciling, stating they have six children and eight grandchildren but can never fully overcome the loss of a beloved child.

A Wonderful Letter

This letter is from a granddaughter to her grandparents, written eleven years after her mother sent a letter withdrawing contact and instructing the grandchildren not to speak with them. The granddaughter expresses her love and appreciation for her grandparents, recalling fond childhood memories. She thanks them for keeping their arms open to her father and for not speaking ill of her mother, valuing their consistent love and support.

Changed Opinion

A reader inquires about why siblings who supported accusers have returned to the family. The writer suggests that the accuser's claims about 'satanic rituals' and 'animal blood' might have been disproven, or that media exposure of FMS 'insanity' has helped siblings see the facts.

Needed Books

Two book proposals are presented: "The Courage to Learn: An expose of the horrors of Recovered Memory Therapy" and "The Courage to Understand: A book that endeavors to provide strategies for the reconciliation of adult children and their families."

Manufacturing Victims: What the Psychology Industry is Doing to People

This section reviews a book by Tana Dineen, which critiques the psychology industry for its role in creating damaged people, divided families, and distorted justice through practices like Recovered Memory Therapy.

Web Sites of Interest

A list of websites is provided, including those for FMS organizations in France, Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, as well as sites related to false memory, therapy, and Satanic Ritual Abuse.

Bulletin Board

This section lists contacts and meeting information for FMS support groups across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board

A comprehensive list of the FMS Foundation's Scientific and Professional Advisory Board members is provided, including their affiliations and credentials.

Subscription and Membership Information

Details on yearly FMSF membership are provided, including rates for professionals and families, and options for additional contributions. Information on how to subscribe to the newsletter and notices is also included, along with payment methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on the negative impacts of Recovered Memory Therapy and the challenges faced by families dealing with false accusations. The editorial stance appears to be one of support for individuals and families affected by FMS, advocating for caution regarding RMT, and providing resources for information and support. Themes of family reconciliation, legal ramifications, and the psychological impact of these therapies are recurrent throughout the issue.