Betrayal trauma: Traumatic amnesia as an adaptive response to childhood abuse

Ethics and Behavior 4 (4):307 – 329 (1994)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Betrayal trauma theory suggests that psychogenic amnesia is an adaptive response to childhood abuse. When a parent or other powerful figure violates a fundamental ethic of human relationships, victims may need to remain unaware 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.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
1,628 (#7,918)

6 months
315 (#5,009)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?