Conformity and the Mandela Effect

Have you ever experienced a memory of yours being disproved? Maybe you learned that information you had believed for years wasn’t true. While this can be disorienting, it may help to know that misremembering information is actually very common. In fact, a recent memory study showed that 76% of adults failed to recall information accurately. In some cases, large groups of people can misremember the same information, and this is known as the Mandela Effect.

The Mandela Effect was coined in 2009 as an umbrella term to describe memory related phenomenon. While some people may be hesitant to believe that so many people can all misremember the same information, it is actually quite common and psychologists have offered multiple explanations for it. 

One of the most common explanations for the Mandela Effect is conformity. When multiple people all believe the same information, it can be difficult for someone to disagree with them. Over time, if you continue to conform to beliefs, you may forget your original opinion which can lead to source memory errors and the Mandela Effect. 

To avoid the Mandela Effect in your own life, make sure to analyze your opinions and beliefs critically to ensure they are your own and that you are not falling victim to conformity. Fact checking information can also help to build a foundation for your beliefs that may help you better argue your opinions and feel more confident. To learn more about conformity and the Mandela Effect, take a look at the infographic below: