Jennifer Freyd
Encyclopedia
Jennifer J. Freyd is an American psychologist
, Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon
, and editor of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Freyd is known for her theories of dynamic mental representations and shareability and her discovery of the phenomenon of representational momentum
.
In the last two decades, Freyd has researched and written extensively on sexual abuse
and memory
, the ethics of research on trauma, and developed the concept of betrayal trauma.
, and in 1983 earned a Ph.D. in Psychology at Stanford University
. From 1983 to 1987, she was an assistant professor at Cornell University
, and since 1987 has been at the University of Oregon. Awards and honors received by Freyd include the Association of Women in Psychology's 1997 Distinguished Publication Award, the Presidential Young Investigator Award
from the National Science Foundation
, and twice the Pierre Janet Award from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
As an adult in the early 1990s, Freyd privately accused her father
of abusing her during her childhood. Her parents co-founded the False Memory Syndrome Foundation
to dispute Freyd's claims and the claims of others who they allege may have recovered false memories of childhood abuse in therapy.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
, Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, and editor of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Freyd is known for her theories of dynamic mental representations and shareability and her discovery of the phenomenon of representational momentum
Representational momentum
Representational momentum is a small, but reliable, error in our visual perception of moving objects. Instead of knowing the exact location of a moving object, we actually think it is a bit further along its trajectory...
.
In the last two decades, Freyd has researched and written extensively on sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
and memory
Memory
In psychology, memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing memory....
, the ethics of research on trauma, and developed the concept of betrayal trauma.
Biography
In 1979, Freyd earned a B.A. in anthropology at the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and in 1983 earned a Ph.D. in Psychology at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. From 1983 to 1987, she was an assistant professor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, and since 1987 has been at the University of Oregon. Awards and honors received by Freyd include the Association of Women in Psychology's 1997 Distinguished Publication Award, the Presidential Young Investigator Award
Presidential Young Investigator Award
The Presidential Young Investigator Award was awarded by the National Science Foundation. The program operated from 1984 to 1991, and was replaced by the NSF Young Investigator Awards and Presidential Faculty Fellows Program...
from the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, and twice the Pierre Janet Award from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
As an adult in the early 1990s, Freyd privately accused her father
Peter J. Freyd
Peter J. Freyd is an American mathematician, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, known for work in category theory and for founding the False Memory Syndrome Foundation.- Mathematical work :...
of abusing her during her childhood. Her parents co-founded the False Memory Syndrome Foundation
False Memory Syndrome Foundation
The False Memory Syndrome Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Pamela and Peter Freyd, after being accused by their adult daughter Jennifer Freyd of sexual abuse when she was a child...
to dispute Freyd's claims and the claims of others who they allege may have recovered false memories of childhood abuse in therapy.