Some Therapists Claim That They Can Help Their Clients to Recover

question 202

Multiple Choice

Some therapists claim that they can help their clients to recover long-repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse. Many other psychologists are skeptical of this claim, largely because

• A) just suggesting something may cause people to report a memory of an event that in fact never happened.
• B) research has shown that people can recover painful repressed memories only through the use of hypnosis.
• C) children must be at least eight or nine years old before they can begin to use repression.
• D) the actual prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is known to be far rarer than the results that these therapists report.

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Definitions:

Self-Mutilation

The act of deliberately injuring one's own body without the intent of suicide, often as a way to cope with emotional pain or distress.

Neurotic Personality

A psychological trait characterized by mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and feelings of distress.

Self-Serving Biases

Attributional distortions that protect or enhance self-esteem or the self-concept.

Ultimate Attribution Error

The tendency to attribute negative behaviors of an outgroup member to their character while attributing positive behaviors to situational factors.