FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Issue: Vol. 14 No. 6
Date: November/December 2005

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter provides updates on the foundation's activities, discusses critical issues surrounding recovered memories and multiple personality disorder (MPD), and features personal stories and legal case analyses.

Editorial and Foundation Updates

The newsletter begins with a thank you to donors for their response to the annual appeal, noting that fundraising costs are kept at approximately one percent of the budget. The FMSF is now offering an electronic (text) version of the newsletter, available on their website, which is usually posted about two weeks before the mailed version arrives. This option was added based on reader suggestions.

The editorial touches upon the emotional complexities of the holiday season for families, particularly those dealing with alienation. A survey conducted by the Illinois-Wisconsin FMSF group revealed that of 75 families, 33% had no contact with alienated offspring, 19% had minimal contact, and 48% had either a retractor or returnee.

It is noted that reconciliation often requires a change in the 'accuser' and that two factors increasing the likelihood of reconciliation are a unanimous family desire and help from a mediator.

The newsletter highlights Susan Clancy's new book, "Abducted: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped by Aliens," suggesting that for abductees, belief is a "culturally available explanation for distress" rather than a scientific one. This book is presented as a potential aid for understanding why some accusers cling to beliefs about recovered memories.

Evidence of the extensive literature on false memory syndrome is mentioned, with a reference to a Library of Congress list. The article points out that while some books argue for the reliability of recovered memories, most align with the FMSF's scientific views. Research on false memories has significantly increased, while scholarly interest in dissociative disorders has decreased.

In Memoriam: Ted Sarbin

The newsletter features a tribute to Theodore R. Sarbin, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Criminology, who passed away on August 31st. Sarbin was a member of the FMSF's scientific and professional advisory board and played a crucial role in establishing the Foundation's credibility. The author, Joseph de Rivera, recounts his long-standing acquaintance with Sarbin, dating back to their graduate student days at Stanford. Sarbin's work on role theory and narrative discourse is highlighted as foundational to understanding how identities are constructed and how people can come to believe in imagined experiences, a concept explored in the book "Believed-in Imaginings" co-edited by de Rivera and Sarbin.

Sarbin's career included positions at the University of California at Berkeley and Santa Cruz, and he was known for his research on social psychology and psychopathology, particularly his "Mr. Role Theory" stance that problems conventionally seen as mental illness could be construed as moral judgments. He challenged orthodox views on hypnosis, viewing hypnotic behavior as a role-playing ability, and sought to 'demythologize' concepts like hallucinations and schizophrenia.

Multiple Personalities: Again and Again and Again

This section reviews Robert Oxnam's memoir, "A Fractured Mind: My Life with Multiple Personality Disorder," and its promotion on the "60 Minutes" program. The article critiques the continued spread of myths and misconceptions surrounding MPD, even in the face of debunking efforts like those related to the case of Sybil. Oxnam's personal journey, including struggles with depression, alcoholism, and bulimia, and his eventual diagnosis of MPD with the help of psychiatrist Jeffrey Smith, is detailed. The narrative describes Oxnam's initial skepticism, his reading of "Sybil," and his eventual acceptance of the diagnosis after Dr. Smith identified 11 hidden personalities.

The article discusses the controversy surrounding MPD and "false memories," noting that the American Psychiatric Association considers MPD a true mental disorder, now called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). It also touches on the APA's acknowledgment that individuals with DID are often highly hypnotizable and vulnerable to suggestion, and that some believe recovered memories are implanted by psychiatrists.

The Identity of Sybil Revealed

This section delves into the history of the book "Sybil," which popularized multiple personality disorder. It notes that before Sybil, MPD was considered rare and not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The article attributes the shaping of the modern notion of MPD to Sybil, Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, and author Flora Rheta Schreiber, leading to a dramatic increase in diagnosed cases. Recent scrutiny of the Sybil story is discussed, with literary critics Peter Swales and Mikkel Borch-Jacobsen identifying Sybil as Shirley Ardell Mason. The article also mentions that Mason continued to be close to Dr. Wilbur even after therapy ended and that Wilbur left Mason a significant inheritance.

Are Flashbacks New to Humans?

This brief piece questions the origin of the term 'flashbacks,' suggesting a link to cinematic editing and the non-linear nature of trauma. It posits that there are no records of traumatized patients reporting flashbacks prior to the advent of cinema.

Flashbacks and PTSD

Richard J. McNally provides comments on the claim that flashbacks are a cinematic phenomenon. He explains that PTSD clinicians refer to flashbacks as the sudden reinstatement of sensory impressions from a traumatic event, though the mind doesn't record like a videotape. He notes that the meaning of 'flashback' has evolved, and historical research on shell shock soldiers reveals limited references to sensory flashbacks compared to narrative ones.

Old Argument in New Form

This section reviews an article by Pezdek and Lam questioning the research paradigms used to study "false memory." The authors argue that only a small percentage of studies examine the planting of entirely new memories, suggesting that findings from these studies may not be generalizable to cases of child sexual abuse. The FMSF newsletter critiques this article, calling it an "effort to dismiss the relevancy of a huge body of rigorous research that challenges the accuracy of recovered memories of child abuse." It points out that the authors fail to include studies on false memory creation through misinformation that predated the publicity surrounding false memories.

Measures that Families Believe Helped in Reuniting

This section presents findings from the FMSF Reconciliation Survey of 2001, detailing measures families believe aided in reuniting with alienated offspring. Categories include 'Help from outside family,' 'Change in accuser's situation or perspective,' 'Contact by family and friends,' 'United stand by family,' 'Emotional perspective of family,' 'Confrontation or challenge by family,' and 'Influence of books, information, media.' Common themes include therapist involvement, open communication, unconditional love, forgiveness, and the use of FMSF materials.

Legal Corner

Appeal Filed in Tim Smith Case: This case involves Timothy Smith, convicted of sexually abusing his daughter Katie based solely on her recovered memory, with no forensic evidence. The appeal highlights the lack of corroborating evidence and the tragic murder of Katie Smith by Sarah Brady, who was allegedly influenced by Tim Smith.

Wenatchee Update: Three families who sued the city of Wenatchee over civil rights violations during sex-abuse investigations were awarded a settlement after it was revealed that the lead detective suffered from a serious mental disability. The plaintiffs returned the initial payment, seeking interest.

Comments About the Johnson v. Rogers Memorial Hospital report: This section discusses a court ruling that opens the door to a new cause of action, likening it to the landmark "Tarasoff" decision, which established a therapist's duty to warn. The ruling is seen as important for recognizing the severity of accusations and holding therapists accountable.

From Our Readers

Thoughts After the Recent Daubert (Hungerford) Hearing: A letter from Jean and Jim Jackson expresses relief that charges against their father were dropped due to a lack of evidence of sexual abuse, criticizing therapists who fostered "recovered memories" and questioned the "hearing of voices" reported by Rhianna Light.

Teaching Knitting: A brief update from "A mom" on a family situation, noting that the family therapist is now teaching knitting.

Thank You: A reader expresses gratitude for the FMSF's support after her daughter introduced her to the foundation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the controversy surrounding recovered memories and false memories, the challenges of multiple personality disorder (MPD/DID), and the importance of scientific evidence in evaluating such claims. The FMSF Newsletter consistently advocates for a skeptical approach to recovered memories, emphasizing the potential for suggestion and the malleability of memory. The publication also highlights the legal ramifications of recovered memory claims and provides resources and support for families affected by these issues. The editorial stance is clearly aligned with challenging the validity of recovered memories, particularly in cases of alleged child sexual abuse, and promoting research that supports a more scientifically grounded understanding of memory and psychological disorders.

The FMS Foundation Newsletter, Volume 14, Number 6, published in November/December 2005, is a magazine dedicated to exploring issues surrounding false memory syndrome (FMS), recovered memories, and related psychological and legal controversies. The publication is produced by the FMS Foundation, a qualified 501(c)3 corporation.

Cover Story: Abducted: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped by Aliens

The cover story, by Susan A. Clancy and published by Harvard University Press, delves into the phenomenon of alien abduction beliefs. Clancy's research suggests that the "trick to creating false memories is to get confused between things you imagined, or read, or saw, and things that actually happened." The article highlights that for many abductees, the seed of their belief stems from questions about unexplained experiences, such as waking up terrified, noticing moles, or feeling isolated. These questions often lead to a search for answers within culturally available explanations, such as alien abduction. Clancy notes that "being abducted by aliens has become a culturally available explanation for distress" and that many individuals have strong emotional needs, like the desire to feel special or less alone, which can be met by such beliefs.

Personal Story: It's Not Over Until... A Dad's Reconciliation

This section features a deeply personal account from a father who experienced a prolonged estrangement from his daughter due to her accusations of sexual abuse. He recounts the pain of losing contact with his daughter for over a dozen years and the eventual, gradual repair of their relationship. The father shares a poignant moment in January 2004 when his daughter, during a serious illness, confessed, “Dad, I was wrong.” This led to a profound reconciliation, with the daughter recovering and the father framing her written apology, "Dad," as a cherished possession. The narrative emphasizes the power of forgiveness and the restoration of family bonds.

Resources: Books and Websites

The newsletter provides extensive lists of resources for those interested in false memory syndrome. Page 2 and 3 feature a comprehensive bibliography of books on topics such as child sexual abuse, false memory creation, trauma, recovered memories, and the psychology of memory. These entries include authors, titles, publishers, and publication years, covering a wide range of perspectives and research.

Page 3 also lists numerous "Web Sites of Interest" and "Legal Web Sites of Interest," offering links to organizations, research groups, and informational sites related to FMS, attachment therapy, and legal aspects of memory. Notable websites include the FMS Foundation's own site (www.FMSFonline.org) and resources related to skeptical information and legal assistance.

FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board

Page 5 lists the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board as of November 1, 2005. This board comprises a large number of distinguished professionals from various fields, including medicine, psychology, and law, from prominent institutions across the United States and Canada. Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., is listed as the Executive Director.

Bulletin Board: Contacts & Meetings

Pages 4 and 5 include a "Bulletin Board" section detailing contacts and meetings for the FMS Foundation across the United States and internationally. This section provides names, phone numbers, and meeting schedules for local chapters and representatives in various states and countries, facilitating community engagement and support.

Other Content

Additional content includes a brief mention of a video by the Rutherford family available in DVD format, which recounts their experience with false memory accusations and reconciliation. The newsletter also includes a section on how to contribute to the FMS Foundation, detailing donation methods and providing a form for new subscribers or donors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently addresses the complexities and controversies surrounding false memory syndrome, recovered memories, and allegations of child sexual abuse. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, providing a platform for research, personal testimonies, and resources that explore the nuances of memory, trauma, and their societal implications. The inclusion of diverse perspectives, from scientific research on memory formation to personal accounts of reconciliation and the phenomenon of alien abduction beliefs, suggests an effort to offer a comprehensive view of the subject matter. The newsletter actively promotes awareness and provides support networks for individuals affected by these issues, as well as for professionals and researchers in the field.