betrayal trauma theory

a conceptual model for explaining why some children are unable to access memories of prior sexual or physical abuse. According to the theory, this sort of repression occurs when the perpetrator of the abuse is an adult on whom the child is emotionally dependent, and it develops out of the child’s need to preserve the attachment bond; hence the child is unable to access the stored memories of the abuse while the need for attachment is still strong. [first proposed in 1991 by U.S. cognitive psychologist Jennifer J. Freyd (1957– )]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

February 17th 2025

transdermal patch

an adhesive application that is designed to release a drug at a steady rate via absorption through the skin into the bloodstream. Transdermal patches are used, for example, to administer nicotine in progressively smaller doses to people who are trying to give up smoking.