Essay
Essay Psychology First Year (PSYCH1009A)
- Course
- Institution
An essay discussing the myth that we use only ten percent of our brain complete with references.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
saffRe
Content preview
1There is a misconception that humans only use a small percentage of their brains. This essay
will look at various academic papers as well as investigating an example of a mundane task,
in order to conclude that this is in fact a myth.
The myth that humans only use ten percent of our brain is a commonplace misconception.
There is evidenc that this myth has been in circulation for centuries, populated both by
scientists and spiritual leaders (Morris,2016). In van Dijk and Lane (2020) (an American
study) it is shown that 42% of participants held the above belief (see figure 1). In van Dijk
and Lane(2020) it can be seen that there are also other myths surrounding the brain that hold
weight.
Figure 1: From van Dijk, W., & Lane, H. B. (2020)
Evolutionary psychologists propose that the human brain has both functional specialisation
and functional integration (Friston & Price,2001). Functional specialisation refers to areas of
the brain having a specific purpose, such as vision or movement, and functional integration
refers to areas of the brain working together for a purpose, such as moving your hand away
from a hot stove (Friston & Price, 2001). Friston & Price (2001) propose that functional
specialisation and functional integration are two processes which aid each other and that both
are necessary for brain function. This is to say, evolutionary psychologists state that each area
of the brain is necessary as it has evolved to carry out specific functions (Duchaine,
Cosmides, & Tooby, 2001).
, 2
When investigating imaging studies, it is possible to see multiple areas of the brain activate
whilst a person is completing one task. In Krueger et al. (2008) a subject busy with integral
calculus problem solving has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure 2). In Szaflarski,
Holland, Schmithorst, & Byars (2006) a subject busy with a language task has multiple areas
of their brain active (see figure 3). In Meister et al. (2004) a subject playing a keyboard which
was made suitable for the fMRI machine has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure
4). Thus, imaging studies show that we use multiple regions of our brains at any given time.
Figure 2: from Krueger et al. 2008
Figure 3: From Szaflarski, Holland., Schmithorst, & Byars (2006).
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller saffRe. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.44. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75323 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now