ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how memories are created at different developmental stages, and how traumatic events can influence this process. Reconstructive memory, especially when situations are emotionally impactful, is often biased and incomplete. These inaccurate recollections may become part of a child’s narrative, often to a negative effect. The potential for us to repress traumatic memories will be explored. Additionally, memories can be encoded and stored in diverse ways depending on their emotional impact; this state dependent memory can lead to the development of triggering stimuli after the fact. Both intrinsic and extrinsic memories will be defined and discussed, as well as the anatomy and physiology of the brain components involved. The relationship between memory and sensation will also be described in this chapter.
