Selective Amnesia (Noun)
Meaning
Amnesia about particular events that is very convenient for the person who cannot remember; "why do politicians always develop selective amnesia when questioned about their transgressions?".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- It's hard not to suspect selective amnesia when celebrities can't recall specific details of a scandal involving them.
- He's got selective amnesia about that day because it suits him to deny responsibility.
- It's like she's suffering from selective amnesia every time the question of accountability is raised.
- Her memories are surprisingly cloudy about certain issues that directly relate to her husband's questionable business practices, but I guess that's what you'd call selective amnesia.
- His history of dodgy business dealings and how they vanished in court would imply selective amnesia played a key part.