The above fact has been stated by Dr. Laura, repeatedly on her radio program, as far back as 12 years ago that I recall. I believed her then and believe it now.
Simply tragic and depressing how many families have been shattered by such false memories. How is this going to be corrected and rectified in the psychiatic community?
Back in High School I did a report on False Memory Syndrome, I must say there were stories there I’ll never forget.
Letting kids know (at an appropriate age of course) that there are such things, might be the best way to protect them.
I later did some studies on things like Stockholm Syndrome, brainwashing, and covert hypnosis. They have much in common. They all depend on how the human mind tends to edit memories and behaviors based on new information, rather than questioning the new info based on past experiences. For all of them the best internal defense seems to be an unending line of questions. “Why are they phrasing it that way?” “How do I know that fact they just quoted is real?” “What other possible causes could there be?” “Does this mesh with what’s already known?” “Is it necessarily either-or?” “Do the words match the motive?” etc. Doesn’t matter if you actually say the questions out loud, the key is to hold your mind accountable for the information its absorbing.
Makes me a pain in the butt sometimes, but it works. And yes, there have been occasions where that was tested.
Many years ago I saw a social worker for depression. She tried to convince me I was a victim of ritual satanic abuse by my family, which was really puzzling. Looking back I don’t think she cared if it was true or not... I believe she was trying to groom me as a victim.