recovered memory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium in academic/psychological contexts, low in general usage.Academic, Technical, Psychological
Quick answer
What does “recovered memory” mean?
A memory that has been brought back to consciousness after being forgotten or repressed, often through therapeutic techniques.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A memory that has been brought back to consciousness after being forgotten or repressed, often through therapeutic techniques.
Refers to any memory recalled after a period of inaccessibility, frequently associated with trauma and controversial in psychology due to debates over accuracy and suggestibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling; both dialects use the term similarly in psychological contexts.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of trauma, therapy, and controversy in both British and American English.
Frequency
Slightly more prevalent in American psychological literature, but commonly used in British academia as well.
Grammar
How to Use “recovered memory” in a Sentence
recovered memory of [past event]to recover a memory through [method]memory recovered during [therapy session]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “recovered memory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She managed to recover the memory of her childhood holiday in Devon.
American English
- He recovered the memory of the accident during his therapy session.
adverb
British English
- The memory was recovered quite unexpectedly during the interview.
American English
- She suddenly recovered the memory while reflecting on her past.
adjective
British English
- The recovered memory testimony was discussed in the UK court.
American English
- A recovered memory case can lead to lengthy legal battles in the US.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in employee assistance programs or corporate wellness discussions.
Academic
Common in psychology, neuroscience, and legal studies research.
Everyday
Infrequent; typically in personal stories or discussions about therapy.
Technical
Frequent in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and forensic contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “recovered memory”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “recovered memory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “recovered memory”
- Using 'recovered memory' as synonymous with all recalled memories, ignoring the specific context of previous inaccessibility.
- Overlooking the debate around reliability and assuming recovered memories are always factual.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The main controversy involves doubts about their accuracy, as they can be influenced by suggestion, therapy techniques, or external factors, leading to potential false memories.
Therapists may use methods like hypnosis, guided imagery, or cognitive techniques to access repressed memories, though these practices are ethically debated.
Yes, in some legal systems, but their admissibility is often challenged due to concerns about reliability and the risk of misinformation.
Not always, but they are frequently associated with traumatic events that were psychologically repressed; non-traumatic memories can also be recovered.
A memory that has been brought back to consciousness after being forgotten or repressed, often through therapeutic techniques.
Recovered memory is usually academic, technical, psychological in register.
Recovered memory: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈkʌvəd ˈmeməri/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈkʌvərd ˈmeməri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “memory lane”
- “bring back memories”
- “jog one's memory”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 're-covered' as something hidden under a cover that is now uncovered, like a memory being revealed again.
Conceptual Metaphor
Memory as a buried artifact that is excavated or recovered.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'recovered memory' most commonly used?