Illusory truth effect.

 There's a phenomenon called the "Illusory truth effect". It's the tendency to believe false information to be correct following repeated exposure to it.

Most notably used in election campaigns, advertising, news media and political propoganda, we can see this in other areas of life.

When a controlling person repeatedly attacks the self esteem of someone they have a relationship with, they will soon start to believe that falsehood. Children especially but adults too, when repeatedly told they are stupid or unattractive will take on those ideas as their own. 

We have all witnessed the effect of mass medical misinformation and how that takes hold and spreads like wildfire, despite it being clearly disproven.

But there's a positive use for this concept, if we know how. Its powers can be harnessed and used to a positive effect. Now I bet that's got you wondering.

On a number of occasions, I have, for the purposes of my health among other reasons, convinced myself to believe something that I know to be untrue, by repeatedly telling myself and those around me that I believe the lie.

For example, I wanted to quit eating chocolate (I was eating far more than is healthy in anyone's world). So I told myself every time I saw it, was offered it, saw it in a book, magazine or anywhere, that "I don't like chocolate". I told anyone who would listen "I don't like chocolate". Pretty soon, I was really believing my own lie!! 

The problem arises when you actually try it again and realise you were as wrong as is possible. Which suggests it's more of a delusion than a "lie". But it's worked for a number of things. 

There's the possibility this could be some psychotic or narcissistic personality trait, or possibly just the sign of a compulsive liar. But I promise, I am using this power only for good.







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