Strong Emotions Lead to Long-Lasting Memories

It is funny how your brain works. I can remember events from my childhood in vivid detail, but I forget what I learn at most training sessions as soon as I hear it. The ability to recall a memory is somehow linked to the strength of the emotions felt at the time the memory is created. Now, consider the emotional impact fraud has on those affected, and thus the memories that are created. In the majority of cases, these will not be positive memories, but because of the stress caused by the fraud, the emotions felt are sure to be strong.

When I was young boy, my cousins and I would race down a hill behind my grandfather’s house in a rusty old wagon. Though it was old, that wagon was fast! We would sit in the wagon facing the front with the long handle folded back toward us. We would use the handle to steer and hang on as we zoomed down the hill and up the other side. We never suffered any major injuries, but some days we would get a few scrapes and bruises. Which leads me to one of my most vivid childhood memories . . .

My eldest cousin had a great idea that involved me riding in the wagon down an uncharted area of the hill. The ride began on the other side of the hill behind the chicken coop, proceeded down a steep slope about 6 feet long until I reached a small drop off (i.e., a cliff about 2 feet straight down), and ended in a briar patch. Needless to say, I didn’t make it to the thicket of briars before tumbling out of the wagon right after the front wheels went over the cliff at a somewhat dangerous speed. Luckily, there was plenty of pine straw to soften my fall. My cousin who dreamed up this bright idea laughed so hard that she wet her pants, which allowed me to have a good laugh at her.

This is one of my most cherished childhood memories, and I remember it like it was yesterday because my emotions were so strong. They were all positive even though I was a little sore the next day. We still laugh about it, and I hope she doesn’t get mad at me for sharing the story.

If fraud ever happens to you, you won’t forget it. The difference will be that your emotions will not be positive. In fact, dealing with fraud is similar to dealing with the loss of a loved one. There are five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) that were first identified by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book, “On Death and Dying.” During most fraud investigations, the parties involved experience strong emotions, and I can usually tie them to Kübler-Ross’s five stages. In an upcoming post, I will describe how these emotions are tied so closely to fraud investigations.

All in all, it is best to prevent fraud to minimize these negative emotions. However, if fraud is discovered, make sure you get an experienced fraud fighting professional to help you navigate the investigation. They may also help you deal with and minimize the emotional impact. 

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