'The Body Keeps the Score' Revives Debate on Repressed Trauma
A 2014 book by Bessel van der Kolk has brought renewed attention to the controversial theory that the body stores repressed traumatic memories. The work argues that trauma can cause physical symptoms arising from inaccessible memories, a claim that has been widely debated in psychology.
The 'Memory Wars' and Scientific Skepticism
During the 1990s, a scientific dispute known as the 'memory wars' questioned whether traumatic events could be fully repressed and later recovered. Memory researchers have largely rejected the concept of repression as unreliable, noting that autobiographical memory is reconstructed and can be influenced by context.
Criticism of Non-Evidence-Based Therapies
The book advocates for non-evidence-based therapies like yoga and guided imagery to 'release' these supposed memories. This practice has been criticized by major psychological associations for potentially creating false memories.
Widespread Belief and Ongoing Research
Recent studies indicate that belief in repressed memories remains widespread, and similar research is being conducted in Australia.
Memory researchers have largely rejected the concept of repression as unreliable.