Psychology - Myths about psychology

True or False-Human memory works like a video camera.

False - One of the biggest myths in psychology is that our memory records each and every detail of our lives. In reality our memories are a combination of sights, sounds, emotions, and social context.

True or False? Recognition at work and opportunities for growth at your job are more motivating than money.

True - Most people believe money is more motivating, but the research finds opportunities for growth and recognition to be more motivating

True or False? Expressing anger decreases future aggression.

False; It is a myth that expressing anger decreases aggression. In fact, research has found just the opposite. Acting out on one's anger often contributes to more aggression.

True or False - The polygraph test is an accurate means of detecting lies.

False - It is a myth that a polygraph is a good lie detecter. Polygraphs measure physiological responses. If you sweat a lot you might come across as deceptive. If you don't sweat a lot you can come across as truthful even when you are lying.

True or False - There is a condition that exists where a person may experience only half of their world.

True - Hemispatial neglect happens when damage to one brain hemisphere causes a person to lose awareness of one side of the space around them. The person can no longer see or process information received from that side of the body or environment.

True or False - Hypnosis is a unique trance state that differs in kind from wakefulness

False -

It is a myth that hypnosis is a trance state different from wakefulness. Brain wave studies reveal that hypnotized individuals are wide awake.

True or False - People who identify as "dog people" are more extroverted than individuals who identify as "cat people"

True -

True or False - A large proportion of criminals successfully use the insanity defense

False - It is a myth that a large proportion of criminals use the insanity defense. In fact, the insanity defense is rarely used and when it is used, it is only successful about 25% of the time.

True or False - Human memory is reconstructive.

True Human memory is very maleable. Remember our memory is NOT like a video camera.

Some people experience that they are being touched when in fact, another person is being touched.

This is true and is called mirror-touch synesthesia.

True or False - Full moons cause crimes and madness.

It is a myth that full moons cause madness. There is no evidence for this "lunar effect".

True or False - Opposites attract.

It is a myth that opposite attract. Research shows it is more the case that "birds of a feather, flock together". In other words, similarities breeds liking. We are more likely to be attracted to someone with similar values and interests.

True or False - People with schizophrenia have multiple personalities

False - It is a myth that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities. Schizophrenia is classified as a schizophrenic disorder in the DSM-5. The correct name for multiple personality disorder is dissociative identity disorder.

True or False - Low self-esteem is a major cause of psychological problems

It is a myth that low self-esteem causes psychological problems. In fact, research has found that low self-esteem is not necessary for depression to occur.

True or False - It is better to express anger than to hold it in.

False - Research has shown that there is no basis to this myth. Releasing anger often perpetuates more aggression.

True or False Some people have a condition where they cannot picture things in their mind.

This condition is called aphantasia.

True or False - we only use 10% of our brains?

It is a myth that we only use 10% of our brains. We are using all of our brain and often wish for more!