Infant Memory
A comment was left by "Julie" that there weren't references on the last study- so here is some more infant memory information .......
This article gives references about studies done on "Infant Amnesia"
This really facinates me because many of the anti-adoption people believe we remember our birthmothers....I'm not taking away from the hardship they have been through but it got me thinking. I felt no connection with my birthmother (she seemed more like a stranger to me). I have said all along that I believe adoption is most difficult for the birthmoms because they remember everything. But memory is an interesting thing. This article was fascinating and the thing that stuck out to me...
The ability to form memories depends on a network of structures in the brain and these develop at different times. As the networks come together between 6 months and 18 months of life, researchers see increased efficiency in the ability to form short- and long-term memory.This means to me that we do not have the ability to remember before around six months...
This one is about dissociation with memory:
I will continue to research this, it is so interesting.
5 comments:
I agree, P. Memory and brain function are fascinating. I loved the cognitive rehab work I did with stroke and brain injury patients....every case was different, even the ones with injury/lesions in the same area. Every patient reacted differently.
Just got burned out on fighting with the insurance companies....
tish,
it's hard to argue with this I guess - no bad comments. Amazing
It seems that way, P.
The thing is, I DO have compassion for those who have memories, repressed or otherwise, which cause them pain. In general, I am a very compassionate person. Too compassionate, my family and friends point out, as I tend to give people "the benefit of the doubt" when others feel they clearly don't "deserve" it.
I just don't think "infant memories" happen to everyone in the same way to everyone who may experience them More often than actually happening, I think "infant memories" are used to beat adoptive parents over the head.
Tish - I see so many things used to beat aparents over the head. It's pointless. I've learned to just turn it off when what I'm reading makes no sense.
Regarding infant "memory", I certainly think it's a possibility, but I'd like to read really good research, especially before we are told that we've ruined our children's lives.
Like you I try to be respectful, compassionate, considerate. Like you, people tell me I am those things to an extreme sometimes. I've learned to shut it off now though....especially if someone is using me as a punching bag expressly because I'm an aparent.
It's funny. I can't say for certain that I "remember" my natural mother.
But we reunited in 1996 and our very first contact was by phone...she called me. Upon the very first word out of her mouth, I knew who it was. I just KNEW HER VOICE. Somewhere, somehow, the sound of her voice was retained in my subconscious, because it was as familiar to me after 23 years of separation as if I was talking to my own best friend.
So yeah, I do think adoptees remember our mothers...on some level, there is a memory there. For some it may be more pronounced, for others, less, (or perhaps buried deeper in the subconscious? I dunno). But that's just MHO. Take it for what it is.
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