NCJ Number
236979
Journal
Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: July-September 2011 Pages: 330-350
Date Published
August 2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article examines perceptions of hypnosis and hypnotically recovered testimony in a civil sexual abuse case.
Abstract
Perceptions of hypnosis and hypnotically recovered testimony were examined in a civil sexual abuse case. Participants read one of eight trial transcript summaries varying in expert witness testimony and victim testimony regarding the use of hypnosis in recovering a repressed memory of sexual abuse. Results indicated liability was influenced by hypnosis. The defendant was found less liable when testimony included hypnosis to recover memories compared to memories recovered without hypnosis. Expert testimony predicted perceptions of the victim and determinations of liability. Results demonstrate juror skepticism regarding the use of hypnosis in the context of recovered memories of sexual abuse. (Published Abstract)