About the Book
In the 1990s, a faddish pseudoscience, repressed memory theory, destroyed millions of American families by creating false memories of childhood sexual abuse. At the time, Mark Pendergrast published his widely acclaimed book Victims of Memory, exposing the false nature of the science and counselling techniques that were alienating teenagers and grown children from their families. In Memory Warp, Pendergrast revisits that subject, updating his research and describing where it stands now, in 2017.
All notable scientific researchers in the field of memory now agree that repressed-memory theory is misguided and harmful--that the "memories" produced are false, and that those accused--mostly parents and other family members and caregivers--have suffered greatly from false allegations of horrible crimes against their own children. But does that mean that the scourge is now behind us?
Unfortunately, no. The disproven theories of repressed memory continue to resurface throughout American cultural life and, although usually more subtly, in the work of therapists. In this new book, Pendergrast provides a lively social history of our recent past, documenting how this incredible juggernaut of pseudoscience, which caused so much harm, came to be. But more importantly, the book also shows how these misguided theories continue to fester. And how, if we fail to learn from the lurid history of this movement, we may face another outbreak.
Many authoritative books have appeared on this subject over the years, including those of memory researchers who have confirmed Pendergrast's conclusions. But Memory Warp is the first to describe the threat that continues to exist today.
About the Author :
Independent scholar Mark Pendergrast is the author of many critically acclaimed books of nonfiction, including Victims of Memory, City on the Verge, and Uncommon Grounds. His new book, Memory Warp, revisits the subject of repressed memories, a faddish pseudo-scientific form of therapy that ran rampant in the mid 1990s, destroying literally millions of families by creating false memories of childhood sexual abuse. Pendergrast's breakthrough book on the subject at the time, Victims of Memory, helped to expose the misguided nature of repressed-memory theories, and all major researchers on the nature of memory have agreed with his conclusions. Memory Warp updates the issues covered by the earlier book, but it is not a new edition, as it thoroughly covers developments since that time. While it is partly fascinating social history of our recent past, documenting how this incredible juggernaut of pseudoscience came to b
Review :
"Must Paul Revere ride twice? Mark Pendergrast was heroic in opposing the recovered memory craze twenty years ago. It's back--but so is he, with an urgent and eloquent plea for adherence to scientific truth about the mind."-- "Frederick Crews, author of The Memory Wars and Freud: The Making of an Illusion"
"Memory Warp is a thorough, calm, and devastating look at how memory works and doesn't work, and how pseudo-scientific claims about 'repressed memories' have ruined lives."-- "Edward Dolnick, author, Madness on the Couch"
"In Memory Warp, Mark Pendergrast has captured not only the personalities of all those involved, but the science (or lack thereof) underlying the repressed memory debate. His compassionate, even feminist, account makes for compelling reading that explains how the repressed memory epidemic arose and (unfortunately) continues."-- "Elizabeth F. Loftus, Ph.D., UC Irvine Distinguished Professor of Social Ecology, and Professor of La"
"In the 1990s, as families were shattered by wide-spread belief in repressed
memories (especially through psychotherapy), Mark Pendergrast stepped up to become a leading figure in the vanguard of truth and reason with his groundbreaking book, Victims of Memory. Now, over 20 years later, he again sounds the alarm that the dangerous embers of repressed memory belief still burn underneath our cultural surface and threaten to burst once again into flame. With precision, thorough documentation, and scientific insight, Memory Warp brings to light the shared cultural mythology that the public and so many 'professionals' still believe, promote, and practice. Compelling and reasoned, Memory Warp is a must-read."-- "Paul Simpson, Ed.D., forensic psychologist, author, Second Thoughts"
"Reading Memory Warp could save your finances, your sanity, your family, and even your life. If you seek mental health treatment in the US health care system, you are at serious risk of being harmed by reckless methods based on dangerous junk science theories and practices. Mark Pendergrast has written a compelling, well-researched book about the epidemic of false memories of abuse that occurred in the final part of the 20th century and continues in a reduced--though still dangerous--form to this day, negatively impacting the lives of millions of people."-- "R. Christopher Barden, Ph.D., J.D., scientist-clinician-attorney-legislation and public policy exper"
A brilliantly written, powerful, and meticulously documented exposé of the
contemporary recovered memory movement. Pendergrast demolishes the widespread myth that suggestive techniques designed to recover supposedly repressed memories - and the often devastating effects of these techniques on psychotherapy clients and their families -- are a thing of the past. This extremely important book is a reminder that, in the words of William Faulkner, 'The past is never dead. It's not even past.'"-- "Scott O. Lilienfeld, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Emory University, co-author, Facts and Fictions"
Science writer Mark Pendergrast makes a strong case that the repressed memory controversy is far from over and offers a clear warning about the worst pseudoscience in psychology in the modern era. Memory Warp is brilliantly written, with jaw-dropping details, stories, and insights that are novel, fascinating, and engrossing.-- "Lawrence Patihis, Ph.D., Director of the Cognition and Memory Laboratory, University of Southern Mis"
