Guided imagery and memory: Implications for psychotherapists.

Arbuthnott, Katherine D.; Arbuthnott, Dennis W.; Rossiter, Lucille

doi:10.1037/0022-0167.48.2.123

Cited by 58 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…False memories occur because the created representations closely resemble memories for countless real events. Imagining an event likely makes it feel more available and plausible, thereby increasing its later acceptance as an experienced event (Garry, Manning, Loftus, & Sherman, 1996;Jacoby, Kelley, & Dywan, 1989; see Arbuthnott, Arbuthnott, & Rossiter, 2001, for a review of imagery misattribution effects). Several models have posited why feelings of true recollection sometimes accompany false memories.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Stereotypes influence false memories for imagined events

Kleider

Goldinger

Knuycky

2008

Memory

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Two experiments tested the influences of vivid imagery and person schemata on eyewitness accuracy. Participants watched an event sequence including actors performing stereotype-consistent and inconsistent actions. Additionally, participants either read descriptions of actions (Experiment 1) or vividly imagined actions (Experiment 2). After either 30 minutes or 2 days, recognition memory, source memory, and remember/know judgements were made. After 2 days, false alarms to imagined events increased, relative to the 30-minute test; those false alarms were more often misattributed to stereotype-consistent actors, relative to the same actions in the reading condition. In addition, the accompanying remember judgements were higher for false alarms to imagined events, relative to read events, regardless of stereotype consistency. Overall the results suggest that, over time, vivid imagery reinforces schema activation, increasing stereotype-consistent false memories.

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mentioning

confidence: 96%

Stereotypes influence false memories for imagined events

Kleider

Goldinger

Knuycky

2008

Memory

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“…In response, some authors expressed serious reservations about the use of imagery methods in therapy, arguing that they may induce false memories of child abuse (Lindsay & Read, 1995;Loftus & Ketcham, 1991;). Yet guided imagery and other methods that invite alterations in consciousness continue to be widely used with trauma survivors in virtually every school of psychotherapy (Arbuthnott, Arbuthnott, & Rossiter, 2001). In light of the apparent dangers, observers may wonder why.…”

Section: Journal Of Forensic Psychology Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, the belief that imagery is widely used to retrieve abuse memories appears to be a misconception. Clinical literature on the topic is sparse (Arbuthnott et al, 2001;Courtois, 2001) and several leading authors in the field of trauma treatment discourage the practice (e.g., Briere, 1996;Courtois, 1999).…”

Section: Journal Of Forensic Psychology Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

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Imagery and Altered States in the Treatment of Child Abuse Survivors: A Commentary on Therapist Influence

Thomas

2006

Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice

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Guided imagery, role-play, dramatic enactment, and similar techniques are widely used by psychotherapists in the treatment of child abuse survivors. These methods invite clients to enter an altered state in which they relax critical judgment and attend closely to internally generated sensory experience. Recently some researchers have criticized these interventions on the grounds that they may create false memories. This article surveys the variety of therapeutic goals served by altered state methods and justifies their use in the framework of an information-processing model of trauma and dissociation. The author places the controversy in the context of a larger issue-the misuse of therapist suggestion-and argues that respect for a client's experience, rather than specific procedures, ensures safety in the psychotherapy relationship.Peter M. Thomas, a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a former faculty member of the University of Washington and Antioch University, has worked extensively with abuse victims and with offenders. He formulated a theoretical model of child abuse and the treatment of abuse survivors that emphasizes the development of skills in interpersonal protection. Dr. Thomas trained psychotherapists in Eastern Europe, Russia, and southern Africa, and his experiences in these cultures inform his views about trauma and human growth.

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“…Several of the researchers have broadened these warnings, questioning use of all imaginative techniques as legitimate therapeutic maneuvers (Arbuthnott, Arbuthnott, & Rossiter, 2001). However, these arguments are less relevant in light of David Schacter's broadly cited article (1999) and later, his inclusive book (Schacter, 2001), "Seven Sins of Memory."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Memory Focused Interventions (MFI) as a Therapeutic Strategy in Hypnotic Psychotherapy

Meyerson¹

2010

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis

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The prospect of utilizing memory plasticity (the constructive and transitory nature of memory) for therapeutic purposes has not been widely recognized. However, a number of theoretical and clinical venues throughout the last century have shown its potential application. Intensive research conducted during these last decades, pointed out the possibility of influencing human memory in relation to new memories and their specific components. Moreover, the research showed the feasibility of planting alternative early childhood memories and thus altering memories of personal history. Additionally, researchers found that memory is naturally very fallible due to everyday phenomena of forgetfulness, distortion and intrusion of past and present information. Throughout the course of this paper, the integrative overview of these empirical findings with the aforementioned clinical and theoretical foundations serves as a substratum in an attempt to present an integrative therapeutic approach, named Memory Focused Interventions (MFI).

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Guided imagery and memory: Implications for psychotherapists.

Cited by 58 publications

References 76 publications

Stereotypes influence false memories for imagined events

Stereotypes influence false memories for imagined events

Imagery and Altered States in the Treatment of Child Abuse Survivors: A Commentary on Therapist Influence

Memory Focused Interventions (MFI) as a Therapeutic Strategy in Hypnotic Psychotherapy

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