Selected articles from the January 1996 issue
By Laura Brown, Ph.D.
Three years into the highly public controversy over delayed recall of childhood
sexual abuse, questions not only remain, but continue to grow over the mechanism
of memory for traumatic events. This note contains updates on some issues in
the recovered memory debate.
The American Psychological Association's Working Group on Recovered Memories
of Childhood Abuse finished its deliberations in December, 1994. However, a
final report has been delayed while differences between the memory researchers
and trauma specialists on the group continue to be worked on.
Currently, a complete and final version of the group's report is due to be presented
to the APA Board of Directors in early February, 1996. The report in its current
form contains two reviews of literature, one each on memory and trauma, followed
by responses to each review by the other group, and rebuttals to the responses.
A joint concluding section will finish the report.
The process of the group highlighted the differences in epistemologies and knowledge
bases between some memory researchers and professionals working in the field
of trauma, with important differences in opinion about the effects of trauma
on memory, the traumatic nature of childhood sexual abuse, and the likelihood
that pseudomemories of childhood abuse could be easily created by therapist
suggestions. The report is currently due to be published as a book by APA in
late 1996.
The question of a scientific basis for delayed recall of trauma also continues
to be addressed in the courts. While many courts in many states and Canada have
allowed testimony on the topic of "repressed memory," in a recent
case in the state of New Hampshire, a trial judge ruled that there was no scientific
basis for the concept of repressed memory and refused to allow testimony on
this topic.This finding, which is contradicted by a large body of data, much
of it created by members of this Society, is currently being appealed.
ISTSS is considering writing and submitting an amicus curiae brief outlining
the Society's understanding of the strong scientific basis for the concept of
delayed recall of trauma.
Finally, a number of excellent reviews of the literature on the topic of trauma
and memory have been published in response to this controversy, including most
recently the exciting special issue of the Journal of Traumatic Stress.
Presentations at the Society's annual meeting in Boston also highlighted some
of the newest and most provocative research on the neurobiology of trauma, underscoring
the contention that the final chapter has not yet been written on the topic
of delayed recall.
The ISTSS Scientific Publications
Committee is seeking nominations for the position of edior of the Journal of
Traumatic Stress (JTS). JTS, the primary scientific publication of ISTSS, has
grown to become a significant resource to those involved in studying and treating
people exposed to traumatic events. JTS is an interdisciplinary forum for peer-reviewed
original papers in biopsychosocial aspects of trauma.
The person selected as editor will assume responsibilities as editor-elect on
January 1, 1997. The term of office will be five years, preceded by one year
as editor-elect. Successful candidates will have experience and expertise in
traumatic stress research, theoretical conceptualizations of the field and treatment
outcome. They will possess a reputation for scholarship and be sensititve and
open to activity in the field broadly defined. Prior experience as an editor/reviewer
for journals and funding agencies is essential. Academic and administrative
sckills, along with interpersonal and communications skills, are vital to the
successful management of the JTS . Institutional support from a candidate's
emplouer is very important.
The editor works closely with the board of directors and staff of ISTSS and
with the staff of Plenum Publishing Corp. The editor is an ex-officio member
of the board of directors of ISTSS. The editor also works closely with the Scientific
Publications Committee of ISTSS.
Applications must be members in good standing of ISTSS. Members are encouraged
to nominate qualified candidates, as well as self-nominate. Nominations from
minority candidates are particularly welcome. Interested individuals should
forward a curriculum vitae and a letter detailing qualifications to Terence
M. Keane, PhD, Chair, Scientific Publications Committee, ISTSS, 60 Revere Drive,
Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062 U.S.A. Deadline for nominations is March 1,
1996.
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