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MENTAL MODEL · M1491

Suspension of Disbelief

Suspension of Disbelief
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The audience voluntarily sets aside logical doubts about fictional scenarios (e.g., Superman flying) to enjoy a work of art.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Immersive experience: The goal of brand marketing is to build a sufficiently self-consistent 'field' where users voluntarily 'suspend disbelief' and believe in the dream you weave (e.g., Disneyland).

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Proposed by Coleridge: The audience voluntarily suspends distrust of fiction to gain aesthetic experience. The mechanism is that emotional and narrative engagement overrides logical verification.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_DisbeliefZH · Explicit
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