This phenomenon led Leon Festinger to the concept of cognitive dissonance.

https://www.amazon.com/When-Prophecy-Fails-Leon-Festinger/dp...

When reality contradicts beliefs, the mind would rather adjust its filters on reality than adjust its beliefs.

This is not possible.

But what would be interesting is if scientists actually watched what happens.

They have done this with cults around the 'end of the world' type scenarios.

How the cult leaders and followers react when the impossible doesn't happen can be psychologically useful to know.

I haven't read this book so don't recommend it, but I think it's cool it exists - https://www.amazon.com/When-Prophecy-Fails-Leon-Festinger/dp...