McMaster University is presenting a free lecture series as follows -> ->

forwarded by Debbie Bang]
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WHIDDEN LECTURE SERIES - Hamilton, Ontario

Presenting Professor Elizabeth Loftus
Thursday November 13 and Friday November 14, 1997
8:00 PM
McMaster University
1200 Main Street West


Hamilton, Ontario


Room 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre
FREE - all welcome

Professor Loftus is an internationally recognized scholar in the area of memory,
she has published l8 books and over 250 scientific articles.  Her recent
research has concerned the forensic implications of results of research in human
memory - especially retrieval of memories, in adults, of childhood sexual abuse.
 The title of the lecture series this year, "You Must Remember This," is,
coincidentally, the title of an article in the most recent (September)issue of
"Chatelaine" magazine that describes one such case of therapist-assisted memory
recall.  Professor Loftus' work features prominently in the "Chatelaine"
article.  Professor Loftus has also written an article in the most recent
(September) issue of "Scientific American" ("Creating False Memories").

Lecture 1, November 13, 1997, ILLUSIONS OF MEMORY

New studies show the power of imagination to make people believe that
they have had experiences that they didn't have.  People have been led
to remember nonexistent events from two weeks ago, from their childhood,
and even from the day after they were born.   These findings help us
to understand the rather flimsy curtain that separates imagination and
memory.

Lecture 2, November 14, 1997, MEMORY AND ITS DISCONTENTS

The 1990s brought to public attention many cases that began when an
adult consulted a therapist for depression, low self esteem, or any of
a number of life's problems.  In the course of therapy memories of
childhood sexual abuse were retrieved.  These memories did not exist,
or at least were not remembered, before therapy began.  In some cases,
families were torn apart violently.  What should we make of these
new-found memories?  Are they true memories that were successfully
revived in therapy?  Are they false memories that were unwittingly
planted?  Are they symbolic expressions --historically false but
representing some deep underlying truth? Insights from cognitive
psychology may shed some light on these issues.  Much litigation has
resulted from the emergence of "repressed memories."
They have been hazardous for the patients, for their families, and for
the therapists who treat them.

For more information contact:
Shepard Siegel
McMaster University
Department of Psychology


905)525-9140 ext. 24238


905)529-6225 FAX or by e-mail [log in to unmask]