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lost in the shopping mall

"Lost in the Shopping Mall" is a psychological phenomenon explored in cognitive psychology. It describes a false memory technique where individuals are led to believe they were lost in a mall as a child, despite it never happening. Researchers use this concept to study memory formation and the influence of suggestion. Through guided imagery or misinformation, people can develop vivid, detailed memories of events that never occurred, highlighting the malleability of human memory and how easily it can be influenced by external factors. This has implications for understanding memory reliability in contexts like eyewitness testimony.

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    "Lost in the Shopping Mall" refers to a psychological phenomenon often discussed in the context of repressed or false memories. It originated from a study where participants were presented with a fabricated memory of being lost in a mall as a child. Many participants eventually recalled details of this false memory, illustrating how suggestive questioning can create vivid memories of events that never happened. This study highlights the malleability of human memory, showcasing how memories can be influenced or constructed based on suggestion, leading to misconceptions about past experiences. It raises important questions about memory reliability in psychological contexts.