mind-pop

[ mahynd-pop ]

noun

, Psychology Informal.

1. a word, phrase, image, or sound that comes into the mind suddenly and involuntarily and is usually related to a recent experience.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mind-pop¹

First recorded in 2000–05; mind + pop ¹; coined by George Mandler (1924–2016), Austrian psychologist

Example Sentences

Most notably, identifying a trigger for a mind-pop in the surrounding environment or even in previous thoughts is extremely difficult—they seem to come out of nowhere.

From Scientific American

When she searched databases of research papers for mind-pops, she found almost no mention of such unannounced, seemingly arbitrary memories—except in the studies of George Mandler, currently an emeritus of professor of psychology at the University of California, San Diego, who coined the term "mind-pop."

From Scientific American

In each case, she carefully searched her mind and her surroundings for a cue—something that might have triggered the mind-pop.

From Scientific American

Although Kvavilashvili had difficulty identifying cues in her current thoughts or immediate surroundings, in nearly half the cases she determined that she had encountered something directly related to a particular mind-pop a few hours or days earlier.

From Scientific American