Repetition
Repeating a line until it feels true.
In our replies we call it: Repeats until it feels true
What it means
Repeating a claim over and over, in one Reel or across many, makes it feel familiar, and familiar things feel true. Psychologists call this the illusory truth effect.
How to spot it in a Reel
- The same line said three or more times
- The same claim in caption, text and voice-over
- A phrase you've seen in many unrelated Reels
Examples
- A Reel repeats "they did nothing in 70 years" through the whole video.
- A Reel repeats "this is the worst government ever" over unrelated clips.
Why it doesn't hold up
Hearing something often doesn't add evidence for it. Familiarity is not truth.
What to say back
"I've heard it a lot. Have I ever seen it shown?"
Questions
What is the illusory truth effect?
The finding that people rate repeated statements as more likely true, even when they know better.
Check a Reel for this trick
Send any Reel to @checkthis.chat on Instagram. If it uses this trick, the reply names it and shows where it happens.
Send a Reel