Is it possible to create false pseudo-memories?
Yes. The tragedy of recovered memories is that the debacle was entirely avoidable if professional practice required the clinician to conform to accepted scientific knowledge. That is, if clinicians abided by their stated Codes of Ethics and Professional Practice. There has been a large body of research arising over many decades which indicates it is remarkably easy to influence people so that they come to believe memories that are false. This can occur in persons who are not necessarily psychologically disordered. At a time of emotional vulnerability, the potential for this is increased. A review may be found in a paper by Garry and Loftus, (1994, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Vol XLII No. 4) from an empirical scientific perspective. Are Australian Families and individuals continuing to be affected by False Memories Yes. The ideas and practices associated with recovered memories continue in Australia in 1999, some seven years after the issue was raised in
