The Issue of Whether Patients Can Recover Repressed Memories of Sexual

question 123

Multiple Choice

The issue of whether patients can recover repressed memories of sexual abuse in childhood is an important one. A commission of therapists and researchers met to discuss the evidence, and the conclusion from this commission was that

• A) all memories recovered with the help of a therapist must be accurate.
• B) repression is impossible, so recovered memories are also impossible.
• C) scientific research cannot answer this question, so it must remain a mystery.
• D) there was so much disagreement the therapists and researchers issued separate reports.

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Definitions:

Biological Approach

A perspective in psychology that emphasizes understanding behavior through focusing on brain structures, neurochemicals, and the influence of genetics.

Environmental Processes

The physical, chemical, and biological actions or events that influence the environment, often affecting ecosystems and human societies.

Psychological Processes

Mental activities including thinking, perceiving, feeling, and remembering, that underlie human behavior.

Biological Functioning

The processes and activities carried out by living organisms, including humans, which maintain life and contribute to growth, reproduction, and survival.