Have you ever been certain of a fact, only to find out later that it’s completely incorrect? If so, you might have experienced what’s known as the Mandela Effect. This fascinating phenomenon demonstrates how our minds can betray us, leading us to believe in falsehoods with unwavering conviction.

What is the Mandela Effect?

The term “Mandela Effect” was coined by Fiona Broome in 2009 when she discovered that she and many others remembered Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980s. In reality, Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and passed away in 2013. This collective false memory led Broome to explore other widespread misconceptions, highlighting a curious aspect of human psychology.

Famous Examples of the Mandela Effect

1. The Berenstain Bears: Many people remember the beloved children’s book series as “The Berenstein Bears,” with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘a’. This false memory is so widespread that it often sparks intense debates among those who are certain of the incorrect spelling.
2. “Luke, I am your father.”: This iconic line from Star Wars is often misquoted. In reality, Darth Vader says, “No, I am your father.” Despite the correction, the misquote persists in popular culture.
3. Pikachu’s Tail: Fans of Pokémon frequently remember Pikachu having a black-tipped tail. However, Pikachu’s tail has always been completely yellow, illustrating how our memories can deceive us.

The Mandela Effect highlights a critical truth about human memory: it is highly malleable and prone to error. But why do our brains trick us in such profound ways? Here are a few psychological concepts that help explain this phenomenon:

1. False Memories: Our brains often fill in gaps in our memories with information that seems to fit. This can lead to the creation of entirely false memories, which feel as real as our actual experiences.
2. Confabulation is when the brain creates a false narrative to make sense of a situation. Unlike lying, confabulation is unconscious and not intended to deceive. It’s a way our minds strive for coherence, even at the cost of accuracy.
3. Cognitive Dissonance: When confronted with information that contradicts our beliefs, we experience discomfort known as cognitive dissonance. To resolve this, our brains sometimes alter memories or perceptions to align with our established beliefs, leading to false recollections.
4. Social Reinforcement: Hearing others express the same false memory can reinforce our belief in its accuracy. The power of social influence can turn a personal misremembering into a widely accepted “truth.”

With this context laid out, you can see that there are holes in what is true and what is our truth. We may argue that we are correct and this information is wrong, but if the information is available and you look it up, you will find that you need to be corrected. However, the reality is that you feel 100% certain, but there is the mindset that we must admit that what we know and what we think we know can be two different things.

The Mandela Effect reminds us of the fragile nature of truth and memory. It shows us that what we perceive as reality can be influenced by many factors, often leading us astray. This has profound implications for individual memories, collective histories, and societal beliefs. This leaves room for discrepancies to occur not only in our minds but even in the real world.

While we can’t completely safeguard our minds from the Mandela Effect, we can take steps to mitigate its impact:

1. Critical Thinking: Always question and verify information, even if it feels familiar or widely accepted. Skepticism can be a valuable tool in discerning truth from falsehood.
2. Documentation: Rely on documented evidence rather than memory alone. Keeping records, photos, and notes can help anchor our recollections in reality.
3. Awareness: Simply being aware of the Mandela Effect and memory’s fallibility can make us more cautious about accepting our memories as absolute truth.

I do this with every one of my clients, even though they may not be suffering from the Mandela Effect. The reason is that the same three steps above to mitigate the impact of the Mandela Effect have a power relation to mindset coaching. In a sense, the mind is connected to what we do and do not do. That is why the example of doing fitness affects mindset when fitness directly impacts the body. The passive effect on the mind may be the most critical part of training the mind.

The Mandela Effect is a captivating illustration of how our minds can betray us, transforming falsehoods into perceived truths. It challenges us to question our memories, remain skeptical of widely held beliefs, and recognize the complex interplay between perception and reality. As we navigate a world filled with information and misinformation, the Mandela Effect reminds us that truth is only sometimes as straightforward as it seems. Being related to mindset in many similarities gives the Mandela Effect a place in our mind to think about what mindset can entail, what is true, and what may be true.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts