Jennifer J. Freyd University of Oregon

Betrayal trauma theory suggests that psychogenic amnesia is an adaptive re­ sponse to childhood abuse. When a parent or other powerful figure violates a fundamental ethic of human relationships, victims may need to remain un­ aware of the trauma not to reduce suffering but rather to promote survival. Amnesia enables the child to maintain an attachment with a figure vital to survival, development, and thriving. Analysis of evolutionary pressures, mental modules, social cognitions, and developmental needs suggests that the degree to which the most fundamental human ethics are violated can influence the nature, form, and processes of trauma and responses to trauma.

Key words: amnesia, child abuse, memory repression, sexual abuse, trauma theory

Frank Fitzpatrick, a 38-year-old insurance adjuster in Cranston, R.I., began remembering having been sexually molested by a parish priest at age 12.

Mr. Fitzpatrick's retrieval of the repressed memories began, he said, when "I was feeling a great mental pain, even though my marriage and everything else in my life was going well." Puzzled, Mr. lay down on his bed, "trying to let myself feel what was going on."

Mr. . . . slowly realized that the mental pain was due to a "betrayal of some kind," and remembered the sound of heavy breathing. "Then I realized I had been sexually abused by someone I loved," said Mr. . But it was not until two weeks later that he suddenly remembered the priest, the Rev. James R. Porter. . . .

Mr. Fitzpatrick's case the accusations have apparently been corroborated

Requests for reprints should be sent to Jennifer J. Freyd, Department of Psychology, 1227 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1227.

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