Psychology Question

Psychology Question

Write a 3–5 page paper debunking a myth about the brain using evidence from scholarly sources.

Introduction

Myths about our brain abound. You’ve probably seen at least a few of them in movies, books, or TV shows. For this assessment, you'll select one of the following myths to debunk.

• 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.

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.

For help finding flawed sources and peer-reviewed articles for this assessment, you may want to complete the library instruction activity:

• Searching Capella Library for Myth Busting Assignment.

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.

Instructions

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.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
• Resources: Use a minimum of five sources: your flawed source, a textbook, the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and two peer-reviewed journal articles
• APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
  • Use Academic Writer for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
• Length: 3–5 double-spaced, typed pages.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Competencies Measured

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 sentences.