Brains vs. Beliefs Episode 8: Repressed Memories

By Karla Lassonde and Emily Stark

In this episode, psychologists Karla Lassonde and Emily Stark discuss the misconception that individuals commonly repress memories of traumatic experiences. Recovered memories occur in a somewhat gray space in that we cannot say with 100% certainty they do not exist. However, repression as a memory process hasn’t been replicated in scientific research in psychology. 
If someone you know talks about having repressed memory what should you do? It would be important for their memory to be corroborated by another. That that is no possible then it is crucial to understand how those memories have been evoked. And misunderstanding that can have serious consequences in therapy, for relationships, and even in the legal system. So while the idea of repressed memories is powerful and emotional, science tells a more complicated story.

You can view show notes and a transcript here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/edaf564a

Listen below or wherever you find podcasts!

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References and Resources

Howard, A. (2026, October 18). Why do we repress memories? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYx78J3m7aU

Insight Flex. (2026, October 18). 5 Signs of Repressed Memories [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=video_id

Karon, B. P., & Widener, A. J. (1998). Repressed memories: The real story. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29(5), 482–487.

Lalande, K. M., & Bonanno, G. A. (2011). Retrospective memory bias for the frequency of potentially traumatic events: A prospective study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 3(2), 165–170. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020847

McNally, R. J. (2003). Remembering trauma. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Reisner, A. D. (1996). Repressed memories: True and false. The Psychological Record, 46(4), 563–579.