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Myth Busting

Post ID: 3552390

Myth Busting

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

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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:

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.

    • Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.

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    Mind - Body Interactions

    Hearing and Vision

    This chapter is all about two of our senses: hearing and vision. This chapter explores how our brain processes visual and audio stimuli and how we process language. In addition, you will explore current and relevant theories of vision to understand how color, form, movement, and spatial location are handled in the brain.

    • In Essential Biological Psychology, read the following:
      • Read Chapter 5, “The Sensory and Motor Systems,” pages 84–118.
        • Focus on the sections that discuss hearing and vision.

    Optional WebAR Experience

    Use the QR code WebAR: The Eye to experience a 3D visualization of the eye.

    The Body Senses

    This chapter explores the way our sense of touch and awareness of where our body is in space works within our brains.

    • In Essential Biological Psychology, read the following:
      • Read Chapter 5, “The Sensory and Motor Systems,” pages 84–118.
        • Focus on the remaining senses (somatosensory, gustatory, olfactory, and motor).

    Memory and Learning

    This chapter introduces the concepts of memory and learning. These are two hot topics in biopsychological research. Some information you will gain is how and where memories are stored in the brain as well as how aging and other disorders impair learning.

    • In Essential Biological Psychology, read the following:
      • Read Chapter 7, “Learning and Memory,” pages 154–170.

    Neural Characteristics of Intelligence

    This chapter explores specific topics related to the neural characteristics that contribute to intelligence, and the role of heredity and environment in forming intelligence.

    • In Introduction to Psychology & Neuroscience, read the following:
      • Read Chapter 8, “Language & Intelligence.”

    Research Methods and Ethics

    Research Methods

    In this chapter, you will be introduced to biopsychology research techniques, and you will explore why biopsychology creates ethical concerns. When conducting research in the field of psychology, and specifically biopsychology, it is imperative that researchers adhere to ethical guidelines and protect participants.

    • In Introduction to Psychology & Neuroscience, read the following:
      • Read Chapter 2, “Psychological Research.”

    APA Ethics

    In addition to the information in the textbook, be sure to review the APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct in your reading list.

    Academic Research and Writing

    APA Style

    You can consult the Learn tab of Academic Writer and find the Basic Paper Setup quick guide in the Page Formatting section. This will help you with the mechanics of setting up an APA style paper.

    You can consult the Learn tab of Academic Writer and find the Heading Levels quick guide in the Page Formatting section. This will help you with how to use headings in an APA style paper.

    In your reading list, read about how to set APA Headings.

    Scholarly Sources

    Psychologists rely on scholarly sources to find information that is both credible and aimed at providing the highest quality of information. This can be more than the peer-reviewed sources you’ve been asked to focus on in other courses. Read What Is Scholarly? to learn more.

    Scholarly sources can be challenging to read. Please review the following to learn tips and tricks for Reading Scholarly Articles. Once you are comfortable reading scholarly sources, the following source will help you to see several different ways to be an effective note taker:

    Using the Library

    The database guides below will help you gain proficiency in researching library resources.

    You can consult the library guide Links to the Full Text on how to find full text for an article if there is not a PDF or HTML full text link.