Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2020
School
Psychology
Abstract
What does believing in repressed memory mean? In a recent article in this journal, Brewin, Li, Ntarantana, Unsworth, and McNeilis (2019, Study 3) argued that when people are asked to indicate their belief in repressed memory, they might actually think of deliberate memory suppression rather than unconscious repressed memory. They further argued that in contrast to belief in unconscious repressed memory, belief in deliberate memory suppression is not scientifically controversial. In this commentary, we show that they are incorrect on both counts. Although Brewin and colleagues surveyed people to indicate their belief in deliberate memory suppression, they neglected to ask their participants whether they (also) believed in unconscious repressed memory. We asked people from the general population whether they believed that traumatic experiences can be unconsciously repressed for many years and then recovered. In 2 studies of the general population, we found high endorsement rates (Study 1 [N = 230]: 59.2% [n = 45]; Study 2 [N = 79]: 67.1% [n = 53]) of the belief in unconscious repressed memory. These endorsement rates did not statistically differ from endorsement rates to statements on repressed memory and deliberate memory suppression. In contrast to what Brewin et al. argued, belief in unconscious repressed memory among lay people is alive and well. Finally, we contend that Brewin et al. overstated the scientific evidence bearing on deliberate repression (suppression). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Publication Title
Journal of experimental psychology. General
Volume
149
Issue
10
First Page
1996
Last Page
2000
Recommended Citation
Otgaar, H.,
Wang, J.,
Howe, M.,
Lilienfeld, S.,
Loftus, E.,
Lynn, S.,
Merckelbach, H.,
Patihis, L.
(2020). Belief In Unconscious Repressed Memory Is Widespread: A Comment On Brewin, Li, Ntarantana, Unsworth, and McNeilis (2019). Journal of experimental psychology. General, 149(10), 1996-2000.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18216
Comments
© American Psychological Association, 2020-10-01. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available at 10.1037/xge0000721.