The Limitations of Our Knowledge About Social Influences on Memories of Sexual Abuse over the Long Term

Abstract

SummaryFagin, Cyr, and Hirst provide an informed and insightful application of the social memory literature to the important question of how memories of sexual abuse may be re‐shaped, both over the short term and long term, by communication with others, as well as with oneself. In the following commentary, we outline several respects in which we believe that the application of this literature to memories of sexual abuse, particularly over the long term, is still open to debate. In particular, we focus on induced forgetting and social contagion for such memories, as well as the application of the social memory literature to intrusive involuntary memories of trauma. Where applicable, we offer suggestions for future research that may contribute towards addressing the limitations of the existing literature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

What children remember after talking with parents: Implications for children’s memory and testimony.

“…Enhanced abilities to remember such threatening or traumatic experiences help to avoid future dangerous situations, thus increasing the chances for survival (Chae et al, 2011). Moreover, involuntary intrusive remembering of the trauma could reactivate less accessible parts of the memory, including information omitted from conversation (Koppel & Berntsen, 2015).…”