False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 13 No 05 - 2004 septoct

Magazine Overview

The FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER, Volume 13, Number 5, from September/October 2004, addresses the ongoing debate surrounding recovered and false memories, with a particular focus on claims of childhood sexual abuse. The newsletter features research reviews, legal case summaries, and personal accounts.

Editorial and Introduction

The editorial, signed by Pamela, opens with a quote about memories fading and the difficulty some have in relinquishing the belief in a special kind of memory for childhood sexual abuse. It references an article in *Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice* by David Gleaves and colleagues, along with commentaries by John Kihlstrom, Richard McNally, and Marylene Cloitre, highlighting the contrasting scholarly styles and the division between proponents and skeptics of recovered memories.

Noel Packard is mentioned for her critical talk, "Battle Tactics of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation," which humorously pointed out the Foundation's perceived tactic of using similar names to confuse researchers and the public. The editorial notes new research in the area, including a student symposium from New Zealand titled "All Roads Lead to Rome: Four Paradigms for Creating False Memories," and research linking high scores on dissociation tests to impaired memory for incest-related words.

The newsletter also discusses the institutionalization of beliefs supporting recovered memories, citing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' website recommending books that presume the reality of recovered memories without addressing false memories. It mentions an upcoming investigation into repressed memory therapy in Victoria, Australia, and the Dutch Minister of Health's stance against government support for individuals who develop memories of incest through psychotherapy.

A positive development noted is the screening of the documentary *Hungry for Monsters* at the Locarno International Film Festival in the Human Rights section. The newsletter reports on two retractor cases, one resulting in a $5.25 million award, both involving individuals who worked with Dr. Bennett Braun in Chicago. The highlight of the issue is the first part of "Losing Linda: A Legacy of Recovered Memory Therapy," based on court transcripts, detailing a daughter's accusations against her mother.

Finally, the editorial addresses the continuation of the printed newsletter through 2005, following reader requests, and solicits financial support for the Foundation's programs.

In Memoriam: Philip S. Holzman

This section commemorates Philip S. Holzman, Ph.D., who passed away on June 1, 2004, at the age of 82. Dr. Holzman was a respected psychologist and researcher at Harvard University and the founder and director of the McLean Hospital Psychology Research Laboratory. He was a professor emeritus and held memberships in prestigious scientific bodies. His research on schizophrenia focused on visual-following problems, suggesting genetic predispositions and establishing schizophrenia as a brain disorder. He also studied the misuse of language by schizophrenics. Dr. Holzman was one of the 15 founders of the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board and believed that the repressed memory phenomenon would be resolved through the exposure of exploitative therapies and careful research.

News From Other Countries

Australia: A Health Services Commissioner will investigate the practice of repressed memory therapy due to numerous requests from affected families.

Canada: A Toronto family doctor was found guilty of misconduct for using controversial therapy treatments he was not trained for, allowing a delusional woman to dictate her psychotherapy.

United Kingdom: A lawsuit by James Fairlie against a therapist and hospital, claiming they implanted false memories in his daughter, was dismissed. The judge stated that neither the hospital nor the doctor had a duty of care to Mr. Fairlie.

Netherlands: The Minister of Health supported a report titled "Dubious Memories" and asked professional organizations to provide information on diverse and alternative practices, stating the government would not support individuals who developed memories of incest through psychotherapy.

Satanic Abuse Claims in Toledo, Ohio

This section details the case of Rev. Gerald Robinson, arrested in April 2004 for the murder of a nun in 1980. A woman had come forward claiming childhood sexual and physical abuse by priests during satanic rituals, naming Robinson. Although no evidence was presented for these claims, police reopened the 24-year-old murder case due to pressure from advocacy groups. The 1980 crime scene was compromised by rescue workers, and while Robinson was questioned, there was insufficient evidence to press charges at the time. New forensic techniques, such as blood spatter analysis, are being used to re-examine the case.

False Memories and Attitudes

An article by McIntyre, Lord, Lewis, and Frye explores how false memories can influence attitudes. In experiments with 131 undergraduate students, participants who imagined performing actions showed attitude changes consistent with those imagined actions, suggesting that false memories can bias attitudes.

Are Recovered Memories Real?

This is a review of an article by Jill Neimark in *Discover* magazine. The article posits that memory is unreliable and life-shattering events cannot be permanently buried. It notes that proponents of recovered memories are often convincing, offering detailed accounts of past abuse that can alter lives. The review mentions the work of Loftus, McNally, and Clancy and includes a quote from Neimark about memory creation and its role in shaping life narratives.

Blinded by Emotion

This research by Porter, Birt, and Spencer investigated how the emotionality of a witnessed scene affects susceptibility to false memories. Participants who witnessed a highly negative emotional scene were twice as likely to recall misinformation compared to those in neutral or positive groups, highlighting the need for caution when interviewing witnesses of crimes.

Belief in Past Traumatization May Generate Emotional Responses

This study by McNally et al. examined psychophysiological responses of individuals who believe they have been traumatized by alien abductions. These individuals showed similar emotional responses to those who have suffered other traumas, suggesting that while they genuinely believe something happened, it doesn't necessarily mean it did. The study suggests that sleep paralysis and hallucinations might be misinterpreted as supernatural events.

Losing Linda: A Legacy of Recovered Memory Therapy (Part 1)

This is the first part of a personal narrative by Jennifer M. Anderson, detailing her sister Linda's accusations of cult activity, physical and sexual abuse, and murder committed by their mother. The account is based on court transcripts from a restraining order hearing. Linda's accusations led to a permanent restraining order against her mother. The narrative describes the family's confusion and distress, and Jennifer's initial skepticism towards the False Memory Syndrome Foundation and the concept of recovered memories.

Legal Corner

Former Patient Receives $5.25 Million Settlement: John Doe settled a psychiatric malpractice case against Dr. Paul Kachoris, Dr. Roberta Sachs, and Dr. Judith Peterson, who allegedly convinced him he was a victim of sadistic child abuse. The doctors diagnosed him with multiple personality disorder and treated him for nearly two years, leading him to believe he was part of a secret satanic cult.

Lawsuit Claims Therapists' Treatment Caused False Memories of Satanic Ritual Abuse: Marsha Koppien and her daughters filed suit against Dr. Roberta G. Sachs and others, alleging that therapy caused them to believe they participated in bizarre intergenerational satanic rituals and murders. The suit also names a former Chicago police officer who allegedly used generational mapping to suggest cult involvement.

Wenatchee Update: The city of Wenatchee was ordered to pay a $718,000 fine for withholding information about police investigator Robert Perez in a child sex abuse case, a ruling upheld by the Washington state Court of Appeals.

From Our Readers

The Key to Our Solution: A parent shares their experience of resolving problems with their daughter by removing her from the mental health system and placing her with her grandparents. They emphasize the importance of seeking family support, educating oneself about the issues, and being aggressive in dealing with the system. They also express gratitude for the FMSF group's support.

Where Is the Outrage?: This letter discusses the public's perception of child abuse claims, suggesting that the focus on real abuse has led to a societal inclination to believe accusations, especially against adults, potentially empowering unethical therapies. The author calls for educating the public about the nature of these therapies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of recovered memory claims, particularly those related to childhood sexual abuse. The FMSF Newsletter consistently presents research, legal cases, and personal testimonies that question the validity and reliability of recovered memories, often highlighting instances of alleged malpractice, confabulation, and the potential for therapeutic suggestion to create false memories. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of the recovered memory phenomenon as presented by its proponents, advocating for rigorous scientific inquiry and exposing what it views as exploitative therapies and misguided beliefs. The foundation positions itself as a source of support and information for those affected by these issues, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based approaches.

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated September/October 2004, Volume 13, Number 5, focuses on the theme of 'Responsibility' in the context of false memory syndrome and accusations of abuse. The publication is from the FMS Foundation, based in Philadelphia, PA, with an ISSN of 1069-0484.

Letters to the Editor and Personal Accounts

The issue opens with a letter from 'A concerned dad' who questions whether therapists who embed false incest memories in patients are themselves abusers, thus shifting the public outrage to their advantage. He suggests that unethical therapists should be viewed as abusers.

'A not-so-grieving father' responds to the 'False Memory Crisis?' by suggesting a scenario where an accusing daughter, along with a smug therapist, intentionally scapegoats her parents for her personal problems. He advocates for a stance of 'good riddance' in such cases.

Another correspondent, 'A mom,' shares that her relationship with her daughter continues positively, but without any retraction of accusations.

The main editorial piece, titled 'Responsibility,' is a letter from 'A mom' who acknowledges the importance of responsibility in dealing with accusations of abuse. She notes that it's easier to blame therapists but harder to accept a child's potential part in creating false memories. She references Dr. Michael Yapko's four reasons for confabulation, including hostility toward the accused for perceived injustices. She also touches upon societal conformity and the tendency to surrender personal memory to therapists.

'Claudia Dabbs' writes about 'Consequences of Choices,' agreeing with Spencer Harris Morfit's essay on personal responsibility. She states that as a client, she is ultimately responsible for managing her illness, even if it's biologically based. She emphasizes the need for clients to form support systems and advocate for change to discredit damaging therapy. She acknowledges that some clients may not want to take responsibility, and they will suffer the consequences.

Special Features and Articles

'Cures Everything' is a short piece about a Rapid Eye Movement (REM) seminar seen in Salt Lake City, promoted by Ranae Johnson of RET Institute. The piece warns that 'Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware) is the rule' in the therapy world.

A 'Correction' notes that the full title of a book mentioned in the previous newsletter was not printed. The book is 'An Alchemy of Mind: Marvel and Mystery of the Brain' by Diane Ackerman.

A quote from Descartes is presented, emphasizing the importance of refraining from judgment when truth is unclear and the intellect should precede the will.

Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society Conference

Details are provided for the Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society Conference on October 3, 2004, in Milwaukee, WI. The event will feature a speaker from the Wisconsin Innocence Project on 'Wrongful Prosecutions,' a parent panel on 'Waltzing with the Elephant,' and round tables. The cost is $20 per person.

Episodic Memory and False Memories

An article discusses the vulnerability of episodic memory to distortion, noting that thoughts and images can be generated without actual sensory input, leading to the creation of fictional events that merge with reality. Psychologists Marcia Johnson, Beth Loftus, Roddy Roediger, and Kathleen McDermott are cited for their research on this phenomenon. A description of a keynote address by Endel Tulving on 'Memory and cultural evolution' is also included.

FMS Stories Wanted

An announcement seeks FMS-related nonfiction accounts by survivors of False Memory Syndrome for a collection to be published by DEL SOL PRESS. Survivors are defined as patients recovering from therapeutic FMS/MPD abuse, and relatives who have not retracted but admit harm are also included.

Hungry for Monsters

This section details the case of 15-year-old Nicole Althaus from Pittsburgh, PA, who accused her father of sexual abuse. The case escalated with further accusations of satanic rituals, orgies, and murder, leading to multiple arrests. However, a year later, all charges were dropped, and Nicole admitted her accusations were false. The family subsequently sued the authorities, with Nicole claiming abuse by those who supported her allegations.

Ordering Information

Information is provided for ordering a VHS tape titled 'The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families,' which covers the story from accusation to retraction and reconciliation. The price is $195.00 for institutions and $39.00 for individuals.

Resources and Information

Web Sites of Interest

A comprehensive list of websites related to false memory syndrome, therapy, and related topics is provided, including links to academic research groups, advocacy sites, and international FMS organizations.

Legal Web Sites of Interest

A list of legal websites is offered, including caseassist.com, findlaw.com, legalengine.com, and accused.com.

Books

Two books are highlighted: 'Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered Lives, 2 ed' by Mark Pendergrast, described as a comprehensive and balanced treatment of the recovered-memories controversy, and 'Remembering Trauma' by Richard McNally, recommended as a comprehensive review of research about trauma and memory.

Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

This section lists a book edited by S. O. Lilienfeld, S.J. Lynn, and J.M. Lohr, recommended for its examination of science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology.

12th International Conference of the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center

Details are provided for a conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 14-16, 2004, focusing on 'CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS: Separating Fact from Fiction.' The conference is for attorneys, investigators, and professionals dealing with child abuse cases, with a faculty list including notable experts in psychology and law.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families

This section reiterates the availability of a video made by the Rutherford family, detailing their experience with accusation, retraction, and reconciliation. It is available in DVD format.

Bulletin Board

The 'Bulletin Board' section provides an extensive list of contacts and meeting information for FMS support groups across the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It also includes a deadline for submitting notices for the next newsletter.

Copyright and Contact Information

The final pages contain copyright information for the FMS Foundation, contact details for Pamela Freyd, Executive Director, and the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board list as of September 1, 2004. It also includes information on how to receive electronic versions of the newsletter and a section for contributions to the Foundation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the complex and often contentious issue of responsibility, particularly in cases involving accusations of abuse and the phenomenon of recovered memories. The FMS Foundation's stance appears to be one of advocating for critical examination of therapeutic practices, supporting individuals who have experienced false accusations, and promoting personal responsibility in managing one's own psychological well-being. There is a clear skepticism towards certain therapeutic approaches that may lead to the creation of false memories, and an emphasis on the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based approaches. The newsletter also serves as a vital resource hub, connecting individuals with support groups and relevant information.