Epstein Secrets

eriences of sexual abuse can become inaccessible to con- sciousness. Although core features of stressful events are often panicu- lwly well retained (Christianson. 1992), debate centers on whether, for highly traumatic events, special memory mechanisms supercede normal memory processes. Some researchers argue

actors like event salience and personal rele- vance may facilitate memory retention (e.g., Baker-Ward. Hess. & Flanagan, 1990: Bower & Sivers. 1998; Christianson, 1992). severe abuse, which typically includes invasive sexual contact, force, or both. would be more likely to be remembered than less severe abus

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MEMORY FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: New Findings Relevant to the Repressed•Memory Controversy Gail S. Goodman,' Simona Ghetti,' Jodi A. Quas,2 Robin S. Edelstein,' Kristen Weede Alexander,' Allison D. Redlich,' Ingrid M. Cordon,' and David P.H. Jones' 'University of California. Dav

aps because of their salience or distinctiveness. They may activate physiological (e.g., amygrIala; LeDoux, 2000) and behavioral (e.g., rehearsal; Christianson, 1992) responses that help con- solidate or maintain memories, possibly including memories for whole categories of experiences. Moreover, for highly

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Research Article Traumatic Impact Predicts Long- Term Memory for Documented Child Sexual Abuse Kristen Weede Alexander,' Jodi A. Quas,2 Gail S. GotsImams Simone Gheiti," Robin S. Edelstein,3 Allison D. ReAllich,3 Ingrid M. Cordon,3 and David P.H. Jones(' ! California State Uni

d the most important compo- nents of the stressful event, leading to enhanced memory for those components but weaker memory for peripheral details (Christianson, 1992). Forgetting and ermrs still occur. but they typically do so to a lesser extent than for memory of less nega- tive events, even in children (C

CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES Trauma and Long-Term Memory for Childhood Events: Impact Matters Gail S. Goodman,' Jodi A. Quas,2 Deborah Goltlfarb,3 Lauren Gonzalves,1 and Alejandra Gonzalez' 'University of California, Davis, 2University of California, Irvine, and 3 Fl