Memory Impacted by Stress and Trauma

Eve Ash and Dr Elizabeth Loftus recount instances where traumatic events (robberies) impacted their own memories. 

Course Overview 

Eve Ash and Dr Elizabeth Loftus share accounts of when each was robbed, and then couldn’t remember personal information when asked to explain what happened. Dr Loftus explains that a shock can interfere with our memories’ ability to retrieve key details. Eve Ash asks if hypnosis is a way to retrieve lost memories. Dr Loftus replies that hypnosis can often produce false memories. 

Key Learning Points 

Our memories can be impacted by stress or traumatic events: 

• Shock can interfere with memory retrieval 

• Details suffer in memory 

• False memories can come out under hypnosis 

Interviewer: Eve Ash 

Interviewee: Elizabeth Loftus