InThinking Revision Sites

INTHINKING REVISION SITES

Own your learning

Why not also try our independent learning self-study & revision websites for students?

We currenly offer the following DP Sites: Biology, Chemistry, English A Lang & Lit, Maths A&A, Maths A&I, Physics, Spanish B

"The site is great for revising the basic understandings of each topic quickly. Especially since you are able to test yourself at the end of each page and easily see where yo need to improve."

"It is life saving... I am passing IB because of this site!"

Basic (limited access) subscriptions are FREE. Check them out at:

www.StudyIB.net

Exploring psychology myths

  • /
  • Student resources/
  • Research methods/
  • Critical thinking activities/
  • Exploring psychology myths

There are several commonly believed "myths" in psychology. Some of them are believed by a significant percentage of the general population. 

This activity asks you to explore the research on one of the myths below.

The task

Choose one of the myths below.  For each statement, be able to answer the following questions:

  1. What is the truth with regard to this myth? 
  2. How do psychologists know what is true with regard to this question?
  3. Why do you think that people continue to believe in the myth in spite of evidence to the contrary?

Areas for investigation

  1. Most people use only 10% of their brain power.
  2. Some people are left-brained, others are right-brained.
  3. Subliminal messages can persuade people to purchase products.
  4. Playing Mozart’s music to infants boosts their intelligence.
  5. Adolescence is inevitably a time of psychological turmoil.
  6. Most people experience a midlife crisis in their 40s or early 50s.
  7. Old age is typically associated with increased dissatisfaction and senility.
  8. Individuals commonly repress the memories of traumatic experiences.
  9. If you’re unsure of your answer when taking a test, it’s best to stick with your initial hunch.
  10. Students learn best when teaching styles are matched to their learning styles.
  11. Individuals can learn information, like new languages, while asleep.
  12. The polygraph ("lie detector") test is an accurate means of detecting dishonesty.
  13. A positive attitude can prevent cancer.
  14. Opposites attract: we are most romantically attracted to people who differ from us.
  15. It’s better to express anger openly to others than to hold It in.
  16. Low self-esteem is a major cause of psychological problems.
  17. Most people who were sexually abused in childhood develop severe personality disturbances in adulthood.
  18. Our handwriting reveals our personality traits.
  19. Psychiatric hospital admissions and crimes increase during full moons.
  20. Most mentally ill people are violent.

Furthering our understanding

The following Ted Talk is an excellent discussion of some of the myths and common misunderstandings in psychology.