Loftus earns prestigious William James Award

Psychology professor Elizabeth Loftus, who has been delving into the mysteries of human memory for more than two decades, has been named the 2001 recipient of the American Psychological Society’s prestigious William James Award for psychological research.

The award, named for the distinguished 19th and early 20th century American philosopher and psychologist, is given to researchers whose research has produced major advances.

Loftus, who also is an adjunct professor of law, has been a member of the UW faculty since 1973. Her research has made her one of the world’s leading experts on the malleability of human memory and eyewitness testimony. Her work has helped show that memories are not neatly or always accurately stored in the brain the way people once believed they were. Rather, Loftus’ research has shown that memories can be influenced, enhanced and distorted, and that even false memories can be created.

Over the past decade this research has involved her in the contentious debate over the recovery of so-called “repressed memories,” in cases of sexual or child abuse. She has testified in hundreds of court cases as an expert witness on memory and the validity of eyewitness testimony.

The findings of her research have resulted in numerous scientific papers and a dozen books including The Myth of Repressed Memory and Witness for the Defense.

The award will be formally presented to Loftus in June at APS’ annual convention in Toronto.