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Related Experiment Videos

Memory as power: who is to decide?

J O Beahrs1

  • 1Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA.

The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|October 6, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Human memory is transactional, influencing relationships and power dynamics. Social context and suggestibility impact memory

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Law

Background:

  • Human memory is complex and transactional, influenced by emotions, perspective, and social context.
  • Memory disputes are common in interpersonal relationships and societal interactions.
  • The interplay between memory, social dynamics, and legal proceedings is a critical area of study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the transactional nature of human memory.
  • To propose hypotheses on how memory mediates interpersonal power dynamics and social influence.
  • To examine the role of suggestibility and social legitimization in memory recall, particularly in legal contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical exploration of memory functions in social interactions.
  • Analysis of existing research on memory, suggestibility, and legal cases.
  • Discussion of controversies in hypnotically refreshed eyewitness testimony and adult delayed traumatic recall.

Main Results:

  • Memory significantly mediates interpersonal power dynamics.
  • Social legitimization can override memory's factual accuracy.
  • Suggestibility can aid adaptation to dominant belief systems.
  • Mutual suggestion integrates societal scales.

Conclusions:

  • Memory's transactional nature is fundamental to interpersonal relationships and social structures.
  • Legal and mental health practices must consider the social and psychological factors influencing memory.
  • Witness credibility ultimately rests with the jury, not expert testimony.

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