Preparation
Select one of the following myths:
· We only use 10% of our brain.
· Brain training will make you smart.
· The brain perceives the world as it is.
· Right-brained people are more creative.
· Adults can’t grow new brain cells.
· The brain is a computer.
You can learn more about the myth you chose in Jarrett’s 2014 book, Great Myths of the Brain, which is located in your reading list and can be used as a source in your paper.
Find one flawed source of information on the Internet. To find a flawed source, look for one with a substantial number of errors.
· Read what the textbooks say about the myth.
· Use the myth you chose and use it as your search word or phrase on the Internet.
· Look for sources that are not accurate based on the information in your textbooks.
· If you don’t see a flawed source on the first page of results, skip to the third page of results or further.
· Tips for finding flawed sources:
· Scroll through your social media feeds.
· Scroll through your results and look for sources that are NOT:
· .gov websites.
· News or press websites.
Find and read two peer-reviewed journal articles that summarize a research study on the topic. You will use these articles to help debunk the myth through their research findings. Reviews of literature or meta-analyses are not appropriate for this assessment.
Consider whether the research is ethical based on one of the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. You should cite this resource in your paper.
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code
of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
Instruction:
Write a 3–5 page paper that includes:
· A brief summary of the myth and evidence provided by the website (your flawed source).
· Challenge the myth by providing scientific evidence that disproves the myth.
· Identify and explain the underlying assumptions that support the myth.
· Use two peer-reviewed journal articles to support your argument. For each scholarly source:
· Summarize the methods, participants, and results.
· Explain the reliability, validity, and generalizability of the findings.
· Assess, using evidence from the article, the study’s adherence to TWO of the APA’s five Ethical Principles of Psychologists:
· Beneficence and Nonmaleficence.
· Fidelity and Responsibility.
· Integrity.
· Justice.
· Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity.
· A discussion of how the brain and body work in relation to your myth, using your textbook and other scholarly sources to support your statements.
· We only use 10% of our brain: Focus on the cerebrum.
· Brain training will make you smart: Focus on the readings on intelligence.
· The brain perceives the world as it is: Focus on the readings about our senses.
· Right-brained people are more creative: Focus on how the hemispheres work.
· Adults can’t grow new brain cells: Focus on readings about brain development.
· The brain is a computer: Focus on the readings on memory.
· Your own theory: Based on your research, what do you think is correct?
Use headers to organize your paper. You should have at least three headers.
Scoring:
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:
· Competency 1: Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
· Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
· Competency 3: Examine psychological research from the standpoint of adherence to the APA Ethics Code in psychological research involving human or nonhuman research participants.
· Assess the extent to which research studies align with two of the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
· Competency 4: Expose flawed sources of information.
· Choose a flawed source of information related to a myth.
· Explain peer-reviewed evidence.
· Competency 5: Write for purpose in a well organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
· Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
· Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentence
Outline for Paper: Debunking the Myth “We Only Use 10% of Our Brain”
Title Page
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Include: Title of your paper, your name, course, instructor, and date.
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Example title: Debunking the 10% Brain Myth: Scientific Evidence and Ethical Considerations
Introduction
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Briefly introduce the myth: “We only use 10% of our brain.”
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Explain its popularity and prevalence in media and online sources.
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State the purpose of the paper: To critically examine and debunk the myth using peer-reviewed scientific evidence.
Flawed Source Analysis
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Identify your flawed website source (e.g., a non-scholarly blog, viral article, or social media post).
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Summarize its claims:
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Example: The website claims humans only use 10% of their brain and suggests unlocking the rest can make you a genius.
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Explain why the source is flawed:
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Lacks citations, relies on anecdotal claims, misrepresents neuroscience concepts.
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Highlight any assumptions:
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The myth assumes unused brain regions exist and that “unlocking” them could boost intelligence.
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Scientific Evidence Debunking the Myth
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Use peer-reviewed research to disprove the 10% claim. Include at least two scholarly articles.
Article 1 Example:
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Citation: Aso, T., et al. (2016). Functional connectivity mapping of the human brain: Implications for usage and capacity. Neuroscience Journal, 45(2), 112–125.
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Summary:
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Methods: fMRI scans of 50 adult participants performing multiple cognitive tasks.
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Results: Brain activity was observed across nearly all regions, even during simple tasks.
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Reliability & Validity: Standard fMRI protocols; high internal validity; replicable across participants.
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Generalizability: Findings apply to healthy adults; caveat for neurological disorders.
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APA Ethical Principles:
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Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: Participants experienced no harm; benefits included better understanding of brain activity.
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Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity: Participants consented; confidentiality maintained.
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Article 2 Example:
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Citation: Raichle, M. E., & Snyder, A. Z. (2007). A default mode of brain function: Evidence of whole-brain utilization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(1), 123–130.
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Summary:
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Methods: PET and fMRI studies measuring baseline brain activity in resting and active states.
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Results: Even at rest, nearly all parts of the brain show metabolic activity.
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Reliability & Validity: Multiple studies confirm findings; peer-reviewed methods.
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Generalizability: Findings consistent across ages and populations.
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APA Ethical Principles:
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Integrity: Research conducted transparently; data analysis reported fully.
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Justice: Selection of participants ensured equal access to participate.
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Underlying Assumptions Supporting the Myth
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The myth assumes that large portions of the brain are dormant or inactive.
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Assumes that intelligence or creativity could dramatically increase if more brain regions were “activated.”
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Debunked by neuroscience: Brain regions have specialized functions; even simple tasks require distributed brain activity.
Brain Function and the Cerebrum
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Discuss how the cerebrum works: sensory processing, motor control, language, decision-making.
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Explain neuroplasticity and ongoing brain activity, showing that virtually all regions are active throughout the day.
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Use textbook and additional scholarly sources for reference.
Ethical Considerations in Brain Research
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Emphasize the importance of adhering to APA Ethical Principles when conducting human neuroscience research.
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Beneficence & Nonmaleficence: Ensuring participants are not harmed.
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Integrity & Respect for People’s Rights: Transparency, consent, and data protection.
Conclusion
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Restate that the 10% brain myth is false.
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Summarize key scientific evidence disproving the myth.
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Highlight the importance of using credible sources and scientific reasoning.
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Suggest continued public education to reduce misconceptions about brain function.
References (APA 7th Edition Example)
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Aso, T., et al. (2016). Functional connectivity mapping of the human brain: Implications for usage and capacity. Neuroscience Journal, 45(2), 112–125.
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Raichle, M. E., & Snyder, A. Z. (2007). A default mode of brain function: Evidence of whole-brain utilization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(1), 123–130.
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Jarrett, C. (2014). Great myths of the brain. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
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