Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Loftus.
Unhampered by current ethical standards and human subject committees, H. Bernheim (1889) created a false memory of a horrific traumatic event. Bernheim also demonstrated his subject's willingness to discuss the implanted memory with a representative of the law. Bernheim's work represents the first documented case of an implanted false traumatic memory, with direct relevance to contemporary debates.
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The malleability of memory is becoming increasingly clear. Many influences can cause memories to change or even be created anew, including our imaginations and the leading questions or different recollections of others. The knowledge that we cannot rely on our memories, however compelling they might be, leads to questions about the validity of criminal convictions that are based largely on the testimony of victims or witnesses. Our scientific understanding of memory should be used to help the legal system to navigate this minefield.