The current study examined the accuracy/consistency of recollections of pre-therapy distress, problems, and episodic details, with an emphasis on understanding the degree to which memories of past emotions, distress, and behaviors are accurate/consistent, and the sources and direction of bias when they are inaccurate. Study participants (N = 20) recalled some types of psychological distress better than others and tended to overestimate their previous psychological distress. Increased current psychological distress was strongly correlated with decreased accuracy recalling interpersonal relationships. Regarding recall of previous problems, study participants endorsed a wide range of life problems and the number of problems endorsed was strongly correlated with the level of current psychological distress. Accuracy of recalling previous problems was strongly correlated with accuracy recalling pervious psychological distress. Memory accuracy for episodic details varied considerably and there was a strong relationship between increased time and reduced accuracy. Despite a small sample, the current study has potentially wide-reaching implications for medical and mental health professionals, as well as researchers who may all rely upon recall of symptom and behavioral information for diagnosis, clinical outcome evaluation, clinical research, and criminal responsibility evaluations. This study replicates previous findings related to recall of previous psychological distress, establishes future research priorities, and provides suggestions for future symptom recall research design.

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review, Neural Plasticity and Memory: From Genes to Brain Imaging provides an in-depth, up-to-date analysis of the study of the neurobiology of memory. Leading specialists share their scientific experience in the field, covering a wide range of topics where molecular, genetic, behavioral, and brain imaging techniq

The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

This book is the first to introduce the study of cognition in terms of the major conceptual themes that underlie virtually all the substantive topics.

This study promotes a new interpretation of involuntary autobiographical memories, a phenomenon previously defined as a sign of distress or trauma.

Stress, Trauma, and Wellbeing in the Legal System presents theory, research, and scholarship from a variety of social scientific disciplines and offers suggestions for those interested in exploring and improving the wellbeing of those who are voluntarily or involuntarily drawn into the legal system.

This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section.