False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 18 No 02 - 2009 spring

Magazine Overview

The False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, Spring 2009, Volume 18, Number 2, addresses the ongoing debate surrounding recovered memories, multiple personality disorder (MPD), and its current designation as dissociative identity disorder (DID). The issue critically examines the Showtime television series "The United States of Tara" and its portrayal of MPD, highlighting what the FMSF perceives as a biased perspective promoted by figures like Dr. Richard Kluft. The newsletter also explores scientific research on memory, suggestibility, and the formation of false memories, as well as legal challenges related to the admissibility of recovered memory evidence in court.

The United States of Tara and the MPD Debate

The newsletter opens by discussing the publicity surrounding "The United States of Tara," a Showtime series that has brought MPD back into public discourse. The FMSF expresses concern that the series, along with related media segments, presents a biased view, particularly through the inclusion of Dr. Richard Kluft, a proponent of MPD. Kluft is quoted stating that MPD is real and that millions may have undiagnosed cases. The FMSF contrasts this with the skepticism of other professionals, such as Dr. Herbert Spiegel, who did not diagnose Sybil (a famous MPD case) with the disorder. The issue points out that Kluft omits the controversy surrounding Sybil's diagnosis, including the discovery of suggestive audio tapes from her interviews with Dr. Wilbur.

A reader's comment highlights the irony of Steven Spielberg, known for Holocaust films and the Shoah Foundation, producing a show about trauma responses, given that few Holocaust survivors claim MPD. This raises questions about the awareness of trauma responses among those involved in the production.

Scientific Research on Memory and Suggestibility

The newsletter features research by Richard McNally and Elke Geraerts, who have studied the cognitive processes of individuals claiming repressed or recovered memories of childhood abuse. Their findings suggest that genuine recovered memories do not necessarily require repression or forgetting, and that everyday memory processes can explain the subjective experience of recalling past events. The research distinguishes between people who gradually recall memories, often through suggestive techniques, and those who recall them suddenly after encountering reminders outside of therapy. The FMSF emphasizes that this research challenges the

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: Spring 2009
Volume: 18, No. 2
Publisher: FMS Foundation

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated Spring 2009, focuses on the fallibility of memory, particularly in the context of legal cases involving accusations of abuse and trauma. It features articles on the "repressed memory" phenomenon, legal proceedings, and personal accounts from readers.

Key Articles and Features

The Shanley Case: Repressed Memories and Legal Battles

The newsletter details a case where prosecutors dropped charges against a priest due to questions about the reliability of repressed memories. The trial of Busa, who claimed to have recovered memories of abuse, is discussed, including the testimony of Dr. James Chu, who explained the concept of "dissociative barrier" and acknowledged that memories can be implanted. Defense witness Dr. Elizabeth Loftus testified that people can sincerely believe implanted memories. The prosecution argued that Busa's emotional testimony indicated the authenticity of his claims, while the defense contended the story was fabricated for financial gain from a civil trial.

Update: Louisiana-Ponchatoula Sexual-abuse Case

This section provides an update on the Ponchatoula sexual abuse case involving the Hosanna Church. Robbin Lamonica, estranged wife of former pastor Louis D. Lamonica, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice as part of a plea agreement that could allow her to avoid prison. She agreed that prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction and agreed to testify in future trials. The article details the history of the Hosanna Church, its founder Louis Lamonica Sr., and Louis D. Lamonica's pastorship. It highlights the defense's argument that Lamonica confessed due to the influence of Lois Mowbray. Mowbray's role in the church, her methods of encouraging confessions, and her alleged control over congregants are described. The article notes that authorities were alerted to accusations by Nicole Bernard, wife of the youth minister, leading to Lamonica's confession. Investigators searched the church grounds for evidence of satanic cult activity, with the help of Dawn Perlmutter, Ph.D., but found none. However, hundreds of pages of diaries describing abuse were found. The article also mentions that Lamonica's sons, who initially spoke of abuse, later retracted their stories, claiming Mowbray's control. The testimony of mental-health professionals and the defense's attempt to introduce expert testimony on the veracity of child abuse allegations are also discussed.

From Our Readers

This section includes several letters from readers:

• Christmas Dinner: A letter from a "mom and dad" expressing gratitude for the FMSF's work and encouragement, sharing a positive experience of their daughter returning to the family after a long absence.
• Some Things Never Change: A letter from a "mom" reflecting on changes in her daughter's children and the difficulty of dealing with an estranged daughter.
• Enough Already!: A letter from a "dad" expressing frustration with parents who wait for estranged children to return, advocating for parents to move on and for children to take responsibility for their own actions.
• My Daughter's Needs Never Met: A letter from a "dad" expressing hope for reconciliation, citing the FMSF Newsletter's records of retractions and reconciliations, in a case where his daughter's needs were allegedly not addressed.
• An Isolated Instance?: A brief note from an "FMSF contact" about adult children making accusations after a period of reconciliation.

Books and Resources

• Remembering Our Childhood: How Memory Betrays Us by Karl Sabbagh is featured, highlighting its exploration of the fragility of memory.
• "Recovered Memories: Are They Reliable?” pamphlets are offered for free by the FMS Foundation.
• The documentary Hungry for Monsters is available for purchase, focusing on memory-focused psychotherapy and accusations of sexual abuse.
• Several books are recommended, including Remembering Trauma by Richard McNally, Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology, and Psychology Astray: Fallacies in Studies of “Repressed Memory” and Childhood Trauma.

Web Sites of Interest

A list of websites related to memory, false memory, and related topics is provided, including sites for Elizabeth Loftus, the Exploratorium, and various false memory societies.

Legal Web Sites of Interest

A list of legal websites is also included.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families

A DVD about the Rutherford family's story of accusation, retraction, and reconciliation is available.

Don't Miss It!

Try to Remember: Psychiatry's Clash Over Meaning, Memory, and Mind by Paul McHugh, M.D., is recommended.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently addresses the complexities and potential unreliability of memory, particularly in the context of recovered memories, child abuse allegations, and cult dynamics. The editorial stance appears to support the critical examination of memory claims and to provide resources and information for individuals and families affected by these issues. The newsletter advocates for a cautious approach to claims of repressed memories and highlights cases where such memories have been disputed or retracted. It also serves as a platform for readers to share their personal experiences and perspectives on memory, trauma, and family estrangement, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding among those who have encountered similar challenges.