Elizabeth F. Loftus

I had expected a book on the workings of memory, on the plasticity of refound memories and so on. And while these are in here, the book is mainly the story of the author being shocked to find herself in a psychological war about the possibility of retrieving repressed memories, a war where everything she values is questioned. I was impressed with her refusal to accuse any people of bad intentions, and keeping the discussion going.

Some of the stories of "retrieved" memories are shocking. I was particularly moved by the story of Paul Ingram, who started to believe the accusations made against him - if only he could find them in his memory!

An impressive book, very much worth reading.… (plus d'informations)

Dr. Loftus is a psychologist who specializes in memory and the impact of trauma, stress and time on it. She travels around the country testifying in trials for the defense and explains how eye witness testimony can be 'altered' by many variables, such as whether there was a weapon present, suggestions planted by the police (accidentally or on purpose), etc.

This book was very disturbing. Dr. Loftus talked about some of the cases that she took part in where the defendant was found guilty because of eye witness testimony, even though there was no supporting physical evidence and the defendants had alibi's! Many victims would actually change their descriptions of their attackers by unknowingly following the clues that the police would use while getting their statements. This book really makes you think… (plus d'informations)