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– )]

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS)

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