Neuromyths: Fact or Fiction?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Males (by chromosomal sex) have larger brains on average than females 

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 2.
  A common difficulty during reading for people with dyslexia is seeing letters backwards or reversed

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 3.
  The left and right hemispheres of the brain are connected and work together 

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 4.
  Human nerve cells can be as long as one meter

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 5.
  People are either left or right brain dominant, and this influences their natural talents/interests

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 6.
   If you don’t drink enough water (6-8 cups per day), your brain will shrink

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 7.
  Listening to Mozart and other classical music from a young age can boost a child’s IQ

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 8.
   Nerve impulses travel faster than the speed of sound

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 9.
  Individuals have learning styles that are dominated by a particular sense (i.e., seeing, hearing, touch), and learn better when they receive information in that learning style/modality

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 10.
   Learning and training can physically reshape the brain

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False
• 11.
  Humans only use around 10% of their brains at any given moment

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  • A.
    True
  • B.
    False

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  You're Neuroscience Naive

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  You’re at the beginning of your neuroscience journey — and that’s not a bad thing! It just means that you have many more interesting things to enjoy learning about next!As we mentioned earlier, the reason these are neuromyths at all is because so many people think they are true, so don't be discouraged if you fell for some of them. Now that you know that not everything people say about the nervous system is accurate, I hope you'll be prepared to put on your detective glasses and help ferret out commonly held misconceptions in the future. Good luck, future neuroscientist!“The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”—Santiago Ramón y CajalIf you'd like to check out any of these topics further:You can get jump-start practicing those critical detective skills by looking at the studies I referenced for yourself. Most are available for free by searching the title in google scholar, and if you get to a "pay-to-read" link on a journal, try checking out the databases your public library has access to.Bangarter, A., & Heath, C. (2004). The Mozart effect: Tracking the evolution of a scientific legend. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 605– 623.Boyd, R. (2008, February 07). Do People Only Use 10 Percent of Their Brains? Retrieved October 24, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/Craik, F. I., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research3. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671-684. doi:10.1016/s0022-5371(72)80001-xCraik, F. I. M. & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 104(3), 268-294.Crockard, A. Confessions of a brain surgeon. New Scientist 2061, 68 (1996).Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2020 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/Draganski, B., & May, A. (2008). Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain. Behavioural Brain Research, 192(1), 137-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2008.02.015Driemeyer J, Boyke J, Gaser C, Büchel C, May A (2008) Changes in Gray Matter Induced by Learning—Revisited. PLOS ONE 3(7): e2669. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002669Howard-Jones, P. Neuro, science and education: myths and messages. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 817–824 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3817Hyatt, K. J. Brain Gym: building stronger brains or wishful thinking? Remedial Spec. Educ. 28, 117–124 (2007).Koch, C. (2016, January 01). Does Brain Size Matter? Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-size-matter1/Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 21.1, Overview of Neuron Structure and Function. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21535/Macdonald, K., Germine, L., Anderson, A., Christodoulou, J., & McGrath, L. M. (2017). Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1314). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01314Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science. (OECD Publications, 2002).Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., and Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles concepts and evidence. Psychol. Sci. Public Interest 9, 105–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.xPasquinelli, E. (2012), Neuromyths: Why Do They Exist and Persist?. Mind, Brain, and Education, 6: 89-96. doi:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01141.xNielsen, J. A., Zielinski, B. A., Ferguson, M. A., Lainhart, J. E., & Anderson, J. S. (2013). An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PloS one, 8(8), e71275.Rauscher, F., Shaw, G. & Ky, C. Music and spatial task performance. Nature 365, 611 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365611a0Riener, C., and Willingham, D. (2010). The myth of learning styles. Change 42, 32–35. doi: 10.1080/00091383.2010.503139Ruigrok, A. N., Salimi-Khorshidi, G., Lai, M. C., Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M. V., Tait, R. J., & Suckling, J. (2014). A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 39(100), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.12.004Treiman, R., Gordon, J., Boada, R., Peterson, R. L., and Pennington, B. F. (2014). Statistical learning, letter reversals, and reading. Sci. Stud. Reading 18, 383–394. doi: 10.1080/10888438.2013.873937Vellutino, F. R. (1979). Dyslexia: Theory and Research. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Wickelgren, W. (1981). Human learning and memory. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 32, 21–52. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ps.32.020181.000321Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., and Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teach. Psychol. 42, 266–271. doi: 10.1177/0098628315589505/;= Thanks so much for participating!
• 2.
  You're a burgeoning neuroscientist

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  Alright, Alright...You've got some neuro street smarts. You've still got plenty to learn, though!As we mentioned earlier, the reason these are neuromyths at all is because so many people think they are true, so don't be discouraged if you fell for some of them. Now that you know that not everything people say about the nervous system is accurate, I hope you'll be prepared to put on your detective glasses and help ferret out commonly held misconceptions in the future. Good luck, future neuroscientist!“The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”—Santiago Ramón y CajalIf you'd like to check out any of these topics further:You can practice those critical detective skills by looking at the studies I referenced for yourself. Most are available for free by searching the title in google scholar, and if you get to a "pay-to-read" link on a journal, try checking out the databases your public library has access to.Bangarter, A., & Heath, C. (2004). The Mozart effect: Tracking the evolution of a scientific legend. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 605– 623.Boyd, R. (2008, February 07). Do People Only Use 10 Percent of Their Brains? Retrieved October 24, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/Craik, F. I., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research3. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671-684. doi:10.1016/s0022-5371(72)80001-xCraik, F. I. M. & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 104(3), 268-294.Crockard, A. Confessions of a brain surgeon. New Scientist 2061, 68 (1996).Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2020 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/Draganski, B., & May, A. (2008). Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain. Behavioural Brain Research, 192(1), 137-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2008.02.015Driemeyer J, Boyke J, Gaser C, Büchel C, May A (2008) Changes in Gray Matter Induced by Learning—Revisited. PLOS ONE 3(7): e2669. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002669Howard-Jones, P. Neuro, science and education: myths and messages. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 817–824 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3817Hyatt, K. J. Brain Gym: building stronger brains or wishful thinking? Remedial Spec. Educ. 28, 117–124 (2007).Koch, C. (2016, January 01). Does Brain Size Matter? Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-size-matter1/Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 21.1, Overview of Neuron Structure and Function. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21535/Macdonald, K., Germine, L., Anderson, A., Christodoulou, J., & McGrath, L. M. (2017). Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1314). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01314Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science. (OECD Publications, 2002).Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., and Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles concepts and evidence. Psychol. Sci. Public Interest 9, 105–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.xPasquinelli, E. (2012), Neuromyths: Why Do They Exist and Persist?. Mind, Brain, and Education, 6: 89-96. doi:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01141.xNielsen, J. A., Zielinski, B. A., Ferguson, M. A., Lainhart, J. E., & Anderson, J. S. (2013). An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PloS one, 8(8), e71275.Rauscher, F., Shaw, G. & Ky, C. Music and spatial task performance. Nature 365, 611 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365611a0Riener, C., and Willingham, D. (2010). The myth of learning styles. Change 42, 32–35. doi: 10.1080/00091383.2010.503139Ruigrok, A. N., Salimi-Khorshidi, G., Lai, M. C., Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M. V., Tait, R. J., & Suckling, J. (2014). A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 39(100), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.12.004Treiman, R., Gordon, J., Boada, R., Peterson, R. L., and Pennington, B. F. (2014). Statistical learning, letter reversals, and reading. Sci. Stud. Reading 18, 383–394. doi: 10.1080/10888438.2013.873937Vellutino, F. R. (1979). Dyslexia: Theory and Research. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Wickelgren, W. (1981). Human learning and memory. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 32, 21–52. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ps.32.020181.000321Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., and Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teach. Psychol. 42, 266–271. doi: 10.1177/0098628315589505/;= Thanks so much for participating!
• 3.
  You're ahead of the crowd

  Image Source

  Not bad, my dude! You've already got a keen eye for spotting pseudoscience- keep it up! There is always more to learn, but you are certainly on your way! As we mentioned earlier y, the reason these are neuromyths at all is because so many people think they are true, so don't be discouraged if you fell for some of them. Now that you know that not everything people say about the nervous system is accurate, I hope you'll be prepared to put on your detective glasses and help ferret out commonly held misconceptions in the future. Good luck, future neuroscientist!“The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”—Santiago Ramón y CajalIf you'd like to check out any of these topics further:You can keep honing those critical detective skills by looking at the studies I referenced for yourself. Most are available for free by searching the title in google scholar, and if you get to a "pay-to-read" link on a journal, try checking out the databases your public library has access to.Bangarter, A., & Heath, C. (2004). The Mozart effect: Tracking the evolution of a scientific legend. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 605– 623.Boyd, R. (2008, February 07). Do People Only Use 10 Percent of Their Brains? Retrieved October 24, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/Craik, F. I., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research3. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671-684. doi:10.1016/s0022-5371(72)80001-xCraik, F. I. M. & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 104(3), 268-294.Crockard, A. Confessions of a brain surgeon. New Scientist 2061, 68 (1996).Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2020 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/Draganski, B., & May, A. (2008). Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain. Behavioural Brain Research, 192(1), 137-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2008.02.015Driemeyer J, Boyke J, Gaser C, Büchel C, May A (2008) Changes in Gray Matter Induced by Learning—Revisited. PLOS ONE 3(7): e2669. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002669Howard-Jones, P. Neuro, science and education: myths and messages. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 817–824 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3817Hyatt, K. J. Brain Gym: building stronger brains or wishful thinking? Remedial Spec. Educ. 28, 117–124 (2007).Koch, C. (2016, January 01). Does Brain Size Matter? Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-size-matter1/Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 21.1, Overview of Neuron Structure and Function. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21535/Macdonald, K., Germine, L., Anderson, A., Christodoulou, J., & McGrath, L. M. (2017). Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1314). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01314Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science. (OECD Publications, 2002).Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., and Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles concepts and evidence. Psychol. Sci. Public Interest 9, 105–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.xPasquinelli, E. (2012), Neuromyths: Why Do They Exist and Persist?. Mind, Brain, and Education, 6: 89-96. doi:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01141.xNielsen, J. A., Zielinski, B. A., Ferguson, M. A., Lainhart, J. E., & Anderson, J. S. (2013). An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PloS one, 8(8), e71275.Rauscher, F., Shaw, G. & Ky, C. Music and spatial task performance. Nature 365, 611 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365611a0Riener, C., and Willingham, D. (2010). The myth of learning styles. Change 42, 32–35. doi: 10.1080/00091383.2010.503139Ruigrok, A. N., Salimi-Khorshidi, G., Lai, M. C., Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M. V., Tait, R. J., & Suckling, J. (2014). A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 39(100), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.12.004Treiman, R., Gordon, J., Boada, R., Peterson, R. L., and Pennington, B. F. (2014). Statistical learning, letter reversals, and reading. Sci. Stud. Reading 18, 383–394. doi: 10.1080/10888438.2013.873937Vellutino, F. R. (1979). Dyslexia: Theory and Research. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Wickelgren, W. (1981). Human learning and memory. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 32, 21–52. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ps.32.020181.000321Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., and Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teach. Psychol. 42, 266–271. doi: 10.1177/0098628315589505/;= Thanks so much for participating!
• 4.
  You're Practically a Phd

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  Impressive! You are one of the elite that didn't believe any of the neuromyths, so congratulate yourself. But don't get too cocky. There is always more to learn, and I am expecting great things from you!As we mentioned earlier , the reason these are neuromyths at all is because so many people think they are true. You're doing a fantastic job so far, so keep up it up and be prepared to help others ferret out commonly held misconceptions in the future as well. Good luck, future neuroscientist!“The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”—Santiago Ramón y CajalIf you'd like to check out any of these topics further:You can show off those critical detective skills by looking at the studies I referenced for yourself. Most are available for free by searching the title in google scholar, and if you get to a "pay-to-read" link on a journal, try checking out the databases your public library has access to.Bangarter, A., & Heath, C. (2004). The Mozart effect: Tracking the evolution of a scientific legend. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 605– 623.Boyd, R. (2008, February 07). Do People Only Use 10 Percent of Their Brains? Retrieved October 24, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/Craik, F. I., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research3. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671-684. doi:10.1016/s0022-5371(72)80001-xCraik, F. I. M. & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 104(3), 268-294.Crockard, A. Confessions of a brain surgeon. New Scientist 2061, 68 (1996).Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2020 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/Draganski, B., & May, A. (2008). Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain. Behavioural Brain Research, 192(1), 137-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2008.02.015Driemeyer J, Boyke J, Gaser C, Büchel C, May A (2008) Changes in Gray Matter Induced by Learning—Revisited. PLOS ONE 3(7): e2669. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002669Howard-Jones, P. Neuro, science and education: myths and messages. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 817–824 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3817Hyatt, K. J. Brain Gym: building stronger brains or wishful thinking? Remedial Spec. Educ. 28, 117–124 (2007).Koch, C. (2016, January 01). Does Brain Size Matter? Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-size-matter1/Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 21.1, Overview of Neuron Structure and Function. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21535/Macdonald, K., Germine, L., Anderson, A., Christodoulou, J., & McGrath, L. M. (2017). Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1314). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01314Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science. (OECD Publications, 2002).Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., and Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles concepts and evidence. Psychol. Sci. Public Interest 9, 105–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.xPasquinelli, E. (2012), Neuromyths: Why Do They Exist and Persist?. Mind, Brain, and Education, 6: 89-96. doi:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01141.xNielsen, J. A., Zielinski, B. A., Ferguson, M. A., Lainhart, J. E., & Anderson, J. S. (2013). An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PloS one, 8(8), e71275.Rauscher, F., Shaw, G. & Ky, C. Music and spatial task performance. Nature 365, 611 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365611a0Riener, C., and Willingham, D. (2010). The myth of learning styles. Change 42, 32–35. doi: 10.1080/00091383.2010.503139Ruigrok, A. N., Salimi-Khorshidi, G., Lai, M. C., Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M. V., Tait, R. J., & Suckling, J. (2014). A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 39(100), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.12.004Treiman, R., Gordon, J., Boada, R., Peterson, R. L., and Pennington, B. F. (2014). Statistical learning, letter reversals, and reading. Sci. Stud. Reading 18, 383–394. doi: 10.1080/10888438.2013.873937Vellutino, F. R. (1979). Dyslexia: Theory and Research. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Wickelgren, W. (1981). Human learning and memory. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 32, 21–52. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ps.32.020181.000321Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., and Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teach. Psychol. 42, 266–271. doi: 10.1177/0098628315589505/;= Thanks so much for participating!