What is the psychological phenomenon referred to when someone recalls an event that did not happen to them because it was mentioned repeatedly?

The phenomenon being described is known as a false memory. This occurs when an individual recalls an event that did not actually happen or remembers it differently from the way it occurred due to suggestions, repeated exposure, or misinformation. In psychology, false memories can arise from several factors, including the influence of others, the media, or even one's own imagination. Research has demonstrated that people can develop vivid memories of events simply due to hearing about them multiple times or having them discussed in detail, which can lead to significant distortion in what they believe to be true. This explains why the correct answer is false memory, as it specifically highlights the inaccuracy and malleability of human memory under certain conditions.