8 psychological myths that already have a scientific explanation

Every discipline of knowledge encompasses data that are curious in the eyes of the general public. The Psychology It is, perhaps, one of those disciplines where curiosities abound, since there are countless legends regarding our behavior.

Psychological myths: putting black on white based on scientific data

Today we will review eight of them, eight psychological myths.

1. Detect lies

There is a popular belief according to which there are a number of people with a superior ability to notice when they are in front of someone who is lying to you. Although the myth is not such, it must be said that an investigation carried out in the United States in 1999 discovered that these people better able to detect the lie of others had severe brain damage in the frontal lobe, in the hemisphere left.

These injuries cause a decrease in their linguistic abilities, a handicap that they compensate with a skill superior in the scrutiny of the non-verbal language of others, and thanks to this compensation they are able to better notice the lies.

2. Subliminal messages: do they work?

It is popularly believed that subliminal messages (which we perceive unconsciously) they can actually generate changes in our behavior, without even being aware that such changes have occurred; no control over them.

In 1957, the publicist James Vicary claimed to have shown that if certain subliminal messages were projected on a screen In the style of "Eat sweets" or "Drink Coca-Cola", a greater demand for these products was generated, and therefore an increase in sales. However, no one from now on was able to corroborate these results, and the truth is that in 1962 James Vicary acknowledged having manipulated the investigation.

3. Counting sheep against insomnia

The recommendation to count sheep as a remedy for insomnia it was discredited in a 2002 investigation that took place at the University of Oxford, UK. It was concluded that that technique was not in any case effective. To reach this conclusion, the time required to fall asleep of two groups of subjects suffering from insomnia was compared. One group had to count sheep and the other did not.

No differences were reported between groups. The members of the sheep-counting group did complain of being more bored, but that didn't make them sleepy sooner. Something that does help to sleep, according to that study, is thinking of a scene that generates tranquility.

4. Cancer caused by bad mood

Certain diseases, such as cancer, have been linked to certain negative personal attitudes. Without going any further, it has been heard on numerous occasions that those who tend to repress their emotions more may be more vulnerable to falling ill.

However, although it is true that showing a positive attitude towards a disease can help to get out of it, it has not been shown that maintaining a negative attitude can cause the disease. In fact, what has been widely studied is that there is a certain relationship in the opposite direction: some research reveals that among women workers, who report a light or moderate level of stress, the probability of developing breast cancer is lower than among women who do not present stress.

5. Classical music and intelligence

Have you ever heard that listening to classical music canincrease intelligence? Or that making unborn babies listen to classical music helps them develop their intelligence.

This popular idea was born from a North American study in 1993, and it seemed to be confirmed in another study at the University of California ten years later. Despite these investigations, the University of Vienna recently carried out a more detailed and systematic study of the phenomenon, without having reported any increase in the intelligence of those who listen to classical music.

6. We only use 10% of the brain

Perhaps one of the most recurrent myths is the one that states that we only use 10% of our brain. How the myth was born is not easily explained, but it is possible that it happened in the 19th century, when an acquaintance American psychologist expressed certain doubts about people reaching more than 10% of their potential intellectual. It is likely that it arose as a misinterpretation of the knowledge of early neurology. 20th century, when science still believed that only 10% of neurons can be activated simultaneous.

Another possible explanation for the genesis of the myth is the idea that neurons only make up 10% of all cells brain cells, since the others are glial cells, which although they are necessary, their elementary function is to offer energy support to neurons. In any case, the myth is totally false. The idea that large brain regions remain inactive is not based on any scientific premise, logical or evolutionary.

The brain tissue has a high cost in terms of energy consumption, since it consumes more than 20% of the oxygen we breathe, despite assuming no more than one 3% of body weight, and it is unreasonable to think that the energy system and evolution maintain an organ whose efficiency is one 10%. If the myth were true, a brain injury according to what area would not affect the operation of the mental processes of the person, which is totally uncertain.

If you want to delve into this myth, we recommend the article: "We only use 10% of the brain": myth or reality? "

7. Infallible memory?

Regarding memory, it is popularly believed that the memories are a true reflection of what we lived in their day. We are not very capable of taking into account that our memory can distort the facts, or that it is unconsciously.

But the reality is that memory does not work as an audiovisual recording machine (player mode), but rather operates in a reconstructive way: that is, the product final (memory) is a mixture of some concrete details and others that we have actually reconstructed based on our expectations, needs, beliefs and emotions.

To delve into this question, we recommend the article: "Gordon H. Bower: memories are mediated by emotions"

8. Women speak louder than men

Finally, it is necessary to clarify another very widespread myth that refers to a difference between men and women. Specifically, the myth is about which of the two sexes speaks more. If we ask a man the question, he is likely to answer that they speak much more than they do. But the truth is that several studies have revealed that, on average, both sexes use a similar number of words per day: about 16,000.

It is true, however, that they tend to express their emotions and thoughts in a more open way, apart from the fact that they are able to perceive non-verbal communication in a more precise way. It seems that there is also an explanation for the fact that the male sex considers that women speak more: apparently, the female voice has a more intonation. prolonged, higher tone and more complex inflections, factors that can cause irritation to the man if he is exposed to speech for a long time female.