Why do researchers, such as Loftus, question the existence of repressed memories?
Modern cognitive psychologists have been able to understand that memories are considered as a complex phenomenon that is influenced by stimuli of internal and external factors. One of the well-known psychologist, Elizabeth Loftus, identified that sexual abuse during childhood is prevalent and constitutes a major serious problems that leads to the understanding of repression and subsequent memory of such experiences.
Loftus postulated that all repressed memories are considered to be false that encourages a common belief in the repressed memories. People were victims of childhood abuse that were beware of developing new experiences, do not remember parts of their childhood and intimidated by their higher authorities. Taking consideration into this criteria, specific individuals were becoming the victim of childhood abuse that ultimately shows sign towards the development of memories.
According to Loftus, some of the victims enter the stage of memory shock that helps in the revival by treating with some kind of therapy. She identified that many individuals had undergone traumatic experiences in their childhood and treating them with special kind of therapy that overcome with memories of such experiences.