Commentary on Brewin and Andrews. Issue 1 (14th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindsay, D. Stephen; Hyman, Ira E.
• Is Part Of: Applied cognitive psychology. Volume 31:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2016-10-14
• Subjects: Cognition -- Periodicals; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; 153
• DOI: 10.1002/acp.3267
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-4080

Abstract

Summary: Brewin and Andrews (2016) reviewed the literature on false memories of autobiographical events, discussed those findings in the context of theoretical accounts of autobiographical memory, and concluded that no more than 15% of people exposed to suggestive influences come to develop robust false memories of significant childhood events. We note several points on which we agree with Brewin and Andrews. But we also take issue with their review and their conclusions. The likelihood of false memories depends on interactions among numerous variables, and psychology is far short of the degree of theoretical precision required to specify any upper limit. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.