The Mandela Effect describes a phenomenon where a large group of people shares a collective memory of an event that never actually occurred. This term was coined in 2009 by Fiona Broome, who discovered that she, along with many others, mistakenly believed that Nelson Mandela had died in the 1980s, even though he passed away in 2013.
Exploring the origins of the Mandela Effect, along with some well-known examples and possible explanations, can provide insight into this intriguing psychological occurrence.
Origins of the Mandela Effect
Fiona Broome first introduced the term “Mandela Effect” in 2009 after creating a website to document her experience with this phenomenon. While attending a conference, Broome discussed her vivid memory of former South African president Nelson Mandela’s death in a South African prison during the 1980s.
However, Mandela did not die in the 1980s; he passed away in 2013. As Broome shared her recollections, she discovered that many others had similar memories, including vivid details such as news reports and a speech by Mandela’s widow.
Surprised by the widespread nature of this shared false memory, Broome, with encouragement from her book publisher, launched her website to explore the Mandela Effect and similar occurrences.
Notable Examples of the Mandela Effect
Nelson Mandela’s story is just one of many instances where groups of people share a false memory. As awareness of the Mandela Effect spread through Fiona Broome’s website, more examples of collective false memories began to surface.
Henry VIII Holding a Turkey Leg
People had a memory that the above portrait of Henry VIII featured him eating or holding a turkey leg, though no such painting has ever existed. There have, however, been similar cartoons created. This may be related to the common knowledge of Henry VIII as a large man.
Luke, I Am Your Father
If you saw Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back, you probably remember Darth Vader uttering the famous line, “Luke, I am your father” in the pivotal scene near the end of the film.
You might be surprised to learn, then, that the line was actually, “No, I am your father.” Most people have memories of the line being the former rather than the latter, and it is commonly quoted incorrectly.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
If you watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, you probably remember the line, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” As you can see from the above-subtitled screenshot, the line began with the phrase “Magic mirror on the wall” instead. It probably doesn’t help matters that Julia Roberts and Lily Collins starred in a 2012 live-action film based on Snow White called “Mirror Mirror”!
Oscar Meyer or Oscar Mayer?
There is some controversy over the spelling of the famous brand of hot dogs, Oscar Mayer Weiners. Some people claim to remember the brand being spelled “Meyer” instead of “Mayer,” which is the correct spelling.
To be fair, the brand pronunciation is a closer match for the “Meyer” spelling, while “Mayer” is often pronounced differently, as in the musician John Mayer’s name.
Location of New Zealand
Where is New Zealand about Australia? If you look at a map, you will see that it is southeast of the country. However, there is a community of people who claim to remember New Zealand being northeast instead of southeast.
Berenstein Bears
The famous children’s book series “Berenstain Bears” created by Stan and Jan Berenstain is not immune to the Mandela effect. Many people report remembering the name being the Berenstein Bears (spelled with an “e” instead of an “a”).
This is similar to the Oscar Mayer issue and hints at perhaps an underlying cognitive reason for the Mandela Effect instead of parallel realities, as some people believe.
Shazaam, Starring Sinbad?
One of the most well-known examples of the Mandela Effect is the collective memory of a movie called “Shazaam” that starred the actor/comedian Sinbad in the 1990s.
No such movie exists, although there was a children’s movie called Kazaam starring Shaquille O’Neal and some other coincidences that could help to explain how this movie became created (or remembered) in many people’s minds. Even more confusing, there is now a movie series based on the DC Comics superhero Shazam—though it does not star Sinbad.
Pikachu’s Black-Tipped Tail
Many people report remembering Pikachu, a Pokémon character, as having a black-tipped tail. In reality, the character has always had a solid yellow tail. The confusion or false memory may stem from the fact that Pikachu, as you can see, does have black-tipped ears.
Mickey Mouse’s Suspenders
Mickey Mouse might be the most famous cartoon character in the world, but even Disney’s famous mouse is often misremembered in the minds of fans. People often report the character wearing suspenders when he does not. The original Mickey is wearing shorts but is completely unclothed on the top half of his body—how scandalous.
Sally Field’s Famous Oscar Speech
When Sally Field won an Oscar in 1985, her acceptance speech included the oft-repeated, oft-parodied line “You like me, you like me!” Except, what she said was “I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me.”
Children of the ’90s probably owe their false memory to Jim Carrey’s parody of the line in his film The Mask, when his character utters the line “You love me, you love me” in clear homage to Field’s speech.
No, It’s Not Looney Toons
Yes, the Looney Tunes are cartoons, not car tunes. And yes, you may remember watching the next generation of characters on a TV show called Tiny Toon Adventures. Nonetheless, the original show was Looney Tunes, not Looney Toons, as a companion to Merrie Melodies.
Jiffy Peanut Butter
There is Jiffy Lube, there’s Jiffy Pop popcorn, there’s Skippy peanut butter, and you may be able to whip up a PB&J in a jiffy, but no, there is no such thing as Jiffy Peanut Butter. It is and has always been Jif, though many people would swear to the contrary.
Curious George’s Tail
This one is, well, curious. The assumption is that Curious George is a monkey, and most monkeys are understood to have tails. Many remember Curious George having a tail, but alas, everyone’s favorite curious primate is tailless. We hope this hasn’t caused George any kind of existential crisis.
What the Heck Is a Froot Loop?
You can thank Kellogg’s for this entry in the weird spelling section of the Mandela Effect catalog. While the very well-known cereal is supposedly fruit-flavored, they decided to lean into the loops and double up on the double O’s, opting for Froot Loops instead of Fruit Loops, much to our surprise.
Fruit of the Loom’s Logo
You may not be able to identify every piece of fruit in the logo for the clothing brand Fruit of the Loom, but everybody at least knows that there is a cornucopia behind all the fruit, right? Wrong! Just ask the company itself—there is no cornucopia, even if we all remember it.
C-3PO’s Leg Is What?
That’s right, C-3PO, the famed Star Wars droid, has a silver right leg, but we won’t blame you for getting this one wrong. Given the lower resolution of older films, the character often being shot from the waist up, and the fact that the original line of toys featured an all-gold C-3PO, it’s no surprise how surprising it is to discover he had a silver leg all along.
“Play It Again, Sam”…Or Not
“Casablanca” is one of the most famous films of all time. And while, many decades later, more and more people have not seen it, what is nonetheless known is the famous line “Play it again, Sam.” Unfortunately, if you are familiar with that line, you may be confused to learn that it was never actually said in that exact way in the film. Ingrid Bergman’s character does, however, say “Play it once, Sam.” Adding to the confusion may be that Woody Allen made a film in 1972 called “Play It Again, Sam” about a film critic obsessed with “Casablanca”.
It’s a Beautiful Day…Where?
Hollywood contributed to the Mandela effect when the 2019 Mister Rogers biopic was named “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” a reference to the opening line of the famous song that opened every episode of Fred Rogers’ show—”It’s a Beautiful Day in the neighborhood.” In reality, however, the song opens with the line “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood.”
Mr. Monopoly’s Monocle
Rich Uncle Pennybags and the Monocle Misconception
Rich Uncle Pennybags, also known as Mr. Monopoly, is often imagined sporting a monocle. However, despite popular belief, the iconic board game character has never worn one. This false memory may stem from a mix-up with another famous character, Mr. Peanut, who does wear a monocle. Interestingly, there’s also a connection to Jim Carrey: in Ace Ventura 2, his character encounters a monocle-wearing man and jokingly refers to him as “The Monopoly Guy.”
Explanations for the Mandela Effect
So, what causes the Mandela Effect? Let’s explore some potential explanations.
False Memories
A leading theory suggests that the Mandela Effect is rooted in false memories. Before diving into this, let’s consider an example that highlights how our memory can be faulty, contributing to this phenomenon.
Take Alexander Hamilton, for instance. Most Americans know he was a Founding Father of the United States but not a president. Yet, when asked to name U.S. presidents, many mistakenly include Hamilton. Why? A simple explanation lies in neuroscience: Hamilton’s memory may be stored near memories of U.S. presidents in the brain. This close association can trigger neurons related to presidential memories when recalling Hamilton, leading to confusion.
When we recall memories, they’re not always accurate; they can be influenced and altered over time. This makes memory unreliable and susceptible to errors.
Confabulation
Confabulation occurs when the brain fills in gaps in memory to create a coherent narrative. This isn’t lying—rather, it’s the brain unconsciously adding details that never happened. Confabulation becomes more common with age.
Misleading Post-Event Information
Information we encounter after an event can alter our memory of that event. Even subtle hints can change how we remember things, which is why eyewitness testimony can often be unreliable.
Priming
Priming involves the cues we receive before or during an event, which influence our perception. For example, asking, “Did you see the black car?” instead of “Did you see a black car?” subtly suggests a specific memory, affecting how we remember the event.
Memories are fragile and can be reshaped over time. Although we often trust our memories, they’re not always accurate.
Alternate Realities
One theory suggests that the Mandela Effect might arise from quantum physics, where alternate realities or timelines intersect with our own. This could explain why groups of people share the same false memories, as events from different realities blend.
Though this idea may sound far-fetched, it’s impossible to disprove, which keeps it alive in discussions about the Mandela Effect. The allure of mystery and the unknown adds to its appeal for some people.
Recap
While the concept of alternate realities may be intriguing, many instances of the Mandela Effect likely stem from collective misremembering. Studies show that a significant percentage of people make errors when recalling information.
The Internet’s Impact
The internet plays a significant role in spreading and solidifying false memories. It’s no coincidence that the Mandela Effect has gained traction in the digital age. The rapid spread of information—accurate or not—on the internet can lead to the formation of communities around shared, but incorrect, memories.
A study of over 100,000 news stories shared on Twitter over ten years found that hoaxes and rumors spread more rapidly than the truth, with false information being shared 70% more often than accurate reports. This wasn’t due to bots but real people spreading misinformation.
This rapid dissemination of false information could help explain the Mandela Effect. As individuals share their false memories, they influence others, creating a snowball effect where more people adopt these inaccuracies as fact.
For example, while Sinbad never starred in a movie called Shazaam, he did appear in other 1990s films and even dressed as a genie for an event. The internet likely amplified one person’s mistaken memory, leading to widespread belief in a movie that never existed.
Repeating a memory, even if it’s inaccurate, can increase confidence in it. As more people contribute incorrect details, they become ingrained in collective memory, reinforcing the belief that they’re true.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the Mandela Effect?
The Mandela Effect refers to a phenomenon where a large group of people share a false memory of an event or detail that differs from the actual reality. The term was coined in 2009 by Fiona Broome, who discovered that many people, including herself, incorrectly remembered Nelson Mandela dying in the 1980s rather than in 2013.
Why is it called the Mandela Effect?
The phenomenon is named after Nelson Mandela because the first widely recognized instance of this collective false memory involved people incorrectly recalling that he had died in prison in the 1980s. This misremembered event is what led Fiona Broome to explore and eventually name the effect.
What are some famous examples of the Mandela Effect?
- Nelson Mandela’s Death: Many people incorrectly recall that Nelson Mandela died in the 1980s, though he passed away in 2013.
- Monopoly’s Mr. Monopoly (Rich Uncle Pennybags): Many remember him wearing a monocle, but he never has.
- The Berenstain Bears: A popular children’s book series often remembered as “The Berenstein Bears,” though the correct spelling is “Berenstain.”
- “Luke, I am your father”: This famous line from Star Wars is often misquoted; the correct line is “No, I am your father.”
What causes the Mandela Effect?
Several explanations have been proposed:
- False Memories: These occur when our brains fill in gaps in our memories with incorrect details, often influenced by similar memories or external suggestions.
- Confabulation: The brain sometimes constructs a coherent narrative by adding details that never actually happened, without the intention to deceive.
- Misleading Post-Event Information: New information introduced after an event can alter our original memories, making them less accurate.
- Priming: Suggestive cues before or during an event can shape how we perceive and remember it.
- Alternate Realities: Some speculate that the Mandela Effect could be due to the overlap of alternate realities or parallel universes, though this theory is controversial and unfalsifiable.
How does the internet contribute to the Mandela Effect?
The internet amplifies and spreads false memories quickly, allowing them to gain traction and become more widely accepted. Online communities and social media platforms facilitate the sharing and reinforcement of these incorrect memories, leading more people to believe in them.
Is the Mandela Effect scientifically proven?
The Mandela Effect is widely recognized and studied within the fields of psychology and neuroscience as an example of how memory can be unreliable. However, the more speculative theories, like alternate realities, are not scientifically proven and remain in the realm of theoretical speculation.
Can the Mandela Effect be prevented?
While it’s challenging to prevent the Mandela Effect entirely, being aware of how memory works and the potential for errors can help. Critical thinking, verifying facts, and being cautious about the information we absorb and share can reduce the chances of falling victim to false memories.
Conclusion
The Mandela Effect is a fascinating phenomenon that highlights the complexities and fallibility of human memory. While it can be intriguing to speculate about alternate realities and parallel universes, the more grounded explanations, such as false memories, confabulation, and the influence of post-event information, offer a more scientifically supported understanding of this occurrence. The internet’s role in spreading and reinforcing these collective false memories underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in our digital age. As more examples of the Mandela Effect continue to emerge, ongoing research and discussion will likely provide further insights into how our minds work and why we sometimes remember things that never actually happened.