Customer Reviews

The Science of False Memory (Oxford Psychology Series)

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The book covers a great deal of research and many cases, and connects the dots in various ways. There is no denial of the existence of sexual or other abuse. I think it would be a dense read for people without a scientific background, but it isn't inaccessible, either. The language is readable and the authors manage to keep the content very interesting as they describe the research and events involved. You'll get a systematic understanding of how false memories are produced, and a good understanding as to what factors cause vulnerability. The book is broader than the title, though, with a lot of related information such as how experts, therapists, and law enforcement staff can become biased and contribute to jury bias, false confessions, and false memories. There is plenty of information about limits to creation and maintenance of false memories as well. This is hardly an ideologically-driven book as far as I can tell.

This is the most comprehensive and reliable review of the data on false memory yet available.

This book is one of 3 essential texts any student of memory (illusory or otherwise) must read (and, I suggest, refer to often). I recommend this book to any student of mind and behavior.

Can we judge a book by its cover?

On the cover of "The Science of False Memory" is a photograph of two satyrs: "Janus Bust of Silenus and a Satyr," a 2nd century A.D. stone sculpture.

In Greek mythology, Silenus was an aged satyr, perpetually stupefied with drink. He was the oldest satyr and the companion, adviser, and tutor of Dionysus. Dionysus is often portrayed as a delicate, effeminate youth.

Satyrs are described as roguish but faint-hearted folk, subversive and dangerous, yet shy and cowardly. As Dionysian creatures they are lovers of wine, women, and men, and they are instinctively ready for every physical pleasure. Child satyrs are sometimes depicted taking part in Bacchanalian celebrations.

With two satyrs on the cover, what is the book about? "In ancient Greece," say the authors, "sexual contacts between adults and children were not regarded as crimes." It was not until 1974 that the US Congress passed an act making such contacts a crime (p. 292).

The prosecution of these sexual contacts as criminal activities has shaped false memory research, the authors suggest (p. 291). This appears to be true.

False memory research recommends we look for suggestive questioning, suggestibility, therapists, books, support groups, movies, or even secondary gain as sources for child sex abuse allegations.

Is it possible that such allegations might ever be based upon actual sexual contact between adults and children? Perhaps the answer to this question is on the book's cover.