Déjà vu is universally defined as “any subjectively inappropriate impression of familiarity of the present experience with an undefined past,” as proposed by Dr. Vernon Neppe. The phenomenon has intrigued and stumped scientists and the public itself, spurring much controversy and speculation over why it occurs. While scientists have attempted to artificially recreate the sensation in a lab to study, there is still no definitive answer as to what causes it. In this blog series, I will go over some of my favorite theories. Hopefully, after reading, you will have formulated your own opinion or idea about why déjà vu exists.
Dual Processing Theory:
When we as humans experience something, the experience is then formed into a memory. This theory speculates that instead of perceiving an event before committing it to memory, our brain does both simultaneously. Thus, our perception of an event simultaneously feels like a situation we have already experienced.
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