Description

what’s it called when everyone thinks something happened but it didn’t ?

### What’s It Called When Everyone Thinks Something Happened But It Didn’t?

If you’ve ever found yourself in a conversation with others and everyone seems to recall a scenario or event differently from your own recollection—or simply wrongly—you’re not alone in your confusion. This peculiar phenomenon, where whole groups of people believe in events that did not occur the way they remember or did not occur at all, is known as the Mandela Effect.

#### Understanding the Mandela Effect

The Mandela Effect was first coined by Fiona Broome, a paranormal consultant and author. In 2010, Broome noticed a significant group of people sharing a memory of Nelson Mandela dying in prison in 1980 rather than in 1994. This specific false memory of Mandela’s death helped kick off the Mandela Effect, illustrating how collective false memories can arise and persist within communities.

It’s worth noting that the Mandela Effect isn’t confined to a single incident. Broome has documented numerous other common examples, such as:
– Believing that the word “Aardvark” was used in the 1977 film *Cats & Dogs*, when the film was never released and a 1981 iteration doesn’t have the word “Aardvark.”
– Remembering that a character in *X-Men,* specifically Wolverine, was called “Logan” throughout the series, despite it being introduced for the first time in *X-Men: First Class* in 2011.

#### How False Memories Happen

False memories can form through several psychological mechanisms, which have been extensively studied and outlined by various experts in memory and neuroscience. Here are some key factors:

– **Misinformation:** When we hear a story or see something that is repeated often, our brain can incorporate this new information into our existing memories. Misleading information, whether intentional or not, can distort our recall.

– **Social Influence:** Group pressure and the influence of peers can lead us to adjust our memories to fit what the majority believes. This phenomenon, called conformity, plays a significant role in the Mandela Effect.

– **Source Misattribution:** This happens when we confuse the origin of information. For example, if we often read about a particular event on a well-known website, we may eventually believe we experienced it ourselves.

#### Examples of the Mandela Effect: Why is it So Pervasive?

One notable example that goes viral repeatedly is the “Pepsi commercial.” Many people remember a Pepsi commercial in the 1990s where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, the Terminator, travels back in time and is directed by the company’s mascot to open his favorite cola bottle, only to find it’s Pepsi rather than Coke. This scene, however, has never been made, and the notion remains a quintessential case of widespread misremembering.

Another popular example is the “American Beauty” movie scene where a character delivers a lengthy, poignant monologue. This scene did take place, but the dialogue is not from the movie itself. People have likely encountered the dialogue during interviews, speeches, or other contexts and mistakenly attributed it to *American Beauty*.

#### Verification Through Media Influence

Social media platforms, where stories and videos can go viral rapidly, exacerbate the issue. Misinformation spreads at an incredible speed, and once something captures public attention, it often becomes cemented in collective memory. Witness the wide-ranging impact of false news stories and viral memes that distort reality.

#### Scientific Studies on False Memories

Research shows that false memories can be implanted via suggestion. For example, a study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, demonstrated how participants could be led to believe they had been attacked by a mall security guard in their childhood, despite there being no actual evidence. This experiment highlights the power of suggestion and the vulnerability of human memory.

### Conclusion

The Mandela Effect, fascinating and perplexing, raises questions about the reliability of our collective memory. It underscores the complexity of human psychological processes and the fallibility of our recollections. While conspiracy theories often view these discrepancies as evidence of alternate universes, science offers more plausible explanations rooted in cognitive and social psychology.

Understanding how our minds work and how memories are formed and manipulated can help us better navigate a world rife with misinformation. It’s essential to verify memories and stories, especially those that everyone seems to recall with such clarity. By embracing a critical and inquisitive mind, we can reduce the spread of false information and foster a more accurate view of the events that shape our reality.

#### Further Reading

Looking to delve deeper into the mechanics of memory and the Mandela Effect? Here are some additional resources you might find useful:
– [The Mandela Effect on Healthline](https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mandela-effect)
– [Why People Falsely Believe Something Happened – When It Didn’t](https://theswaddle.com/why-people-falsely-believe-something-happened-when-it-didnt)
– [False Memories: When Your Brain Makes Stuff Up](https://science.time.com/2013/11/19/remember-that-no-you-dont-study-shows-false-memories-afflict-us-all/)

Stay curious and critically evaluate the memories and stories you come across daily. The Mandela Effect serves as a reminder of the intricate nature of human memory—its vulnerabilities and strengths.