The human heart is full of more mysteries than we can imagine. As proof of this, we have spent centuries devoted to understanding the human mind. Psychology, which is a combination of the words “psyche,” which means mind or soul, and “-ology,” which means science, is a very interesting field. Now solve this brain myths. Are “left-brained types” and “you only use 10% of your brain” a lie?
Since the time of our pioneers in psychology, scholars have continued to attempt to understand the nature of the human mind and brain to avoid Brain Myths. Although there are still many things I am not sure about, I was able to gain a similar amount of knowledge. However, at the same time, misconceptions also emerged. This is an idea that has no empirical support and leads our understanding of the psyche in the wrong direction.
You’ve probably heard the following two legends. In this article, I would like to convey the truth behind it through genuine psychological insight.
1. People are either left-brained or right-brained.
The idea that people are left-brained or right-brained is an enduring concept. The left side of the brain is anthropomorphized as logical and the right side is creative, and the idea is that a person’s personality and skills are determined by which side of the brain is dominant. Are you a logical, analytical, left-brained person, or a free-spirited, creative, right-brained person? It’s a really fascinating dichotomy.
Although the left and right hemispheres of the brain are symmetrically arranged, they are known to grow and function asymmetrically. Each has nearly 100 billion neurons (about the number of stars in the Milky Way) located in discernible regions, each tuned for a specific role. The two hemispheres work together, but not in the way we intuitively think.
A research paper published in the academic journal International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change (IJICC) highlights that the left and right hemispheres of the brain function in counterintuitive ways and some Brain Myths are spreading everywhere. For example, the brain processes visual information coming in through the eyes through the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. However, the left hemisphere processes information coming from the right visual field, and vice versa. Similarly, the left frontal lobe primarily controls movement on the right side of the body, and vice versa.
However, despite this asymmetry, the authors explain that there is virtually no evidence that normal cognitive functions occur exclusively in either hemisphere. The corpus callosum, which connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, enables extensive communication between the two hemispheres and helps coordinate brain activity between them.
The idea of left-brain/right-brain thinking may seem like a convenient framework, but it ultimately doesn’t align with scientific reality. Some people may be better at analytical thinking, while others may be better at creative work, but these strengths cannot be reliably linked to the dominance of one hemisphere. The reality is that most people have a variety of skills and don’t neatly fall into left-brain or right-brain categories.
2. Humans only use 10% of their brains : Brain Myths
From the world of movies to everyday conversation, the popular belief that humans only use 10% of their brains is pervasive. Remember in the movie LUCY, where the woman played by Scarlett Johansson demonstrated her superhuman abilities when she crossed the “10% threshold”? However, this idea raised too many questions.
In the world of psychology, humans are often referred to as “cognitive frugalists.” According to renowned cognitive scientist Keith Stanobic , animals (including humans) have evolved over time to reproduce, and they haven’t always made perfect decisions. This means that making decisions that are rational or perfectly consistent with reality are not necessarily the most important thing for survival. Even if it’s a little inaccurate, it can be beneficial for humans to consume less energy and resources.
In short, when we think about something, we often choose the easiest path. This idea may have led to the idea that human faces only use 10% of the brain. But the theory that humans are cognitively frugal does not in any way imply that we cannot use the “full capacity” of our brains. If that were the case, our reality as humans would be very different.
To prove this, neuroscientist Barry Bayernstein presents six pieces of evidence that debunk the 10% brain myth. 1. If we only use 10% of our brains, a traumatic brain injury to the remaining 90% will not affect brain function. In reality, there are virtually no parts of the brain that remain functional even if they are damaged.2 No matter what you are doing, all healthy, undamaged parts of the brain are always active. ing. Although some parts may not contribute as much as others, all parts of the brain play a role in ensuring that we function, even during sleep.
3. The brain uses vast resources of the body in its activities. If we didn’t need 90% of our brains, humans would have evolved to remove redundant areas to reduce energy consumption and increase our chances of survival.
4. Research has shown that specific parts of the brain have specific roles. This means that the brain functions as a specialized network rather than a homogeneous mass. No part of the brain has been found that serves no purpose.5
Equipment that monitors the activity of “individual” brain cells has revealed that most brain cells are active all the time. At any given time, a large portion of the brain is involved in information processing.6
Brain cells that no longer function die over time. If 90% of the brain is useless, autopsies will always show massive neurodegeneration.The
reality is that every part of our brain plays a role, and one half dominates the other. There’s nothing I’m doing. So if you ever talk to a self-proclaimed “left-brained” person, or someone who dreams of what would happen if humans used their brain’s full potential, you’d realize that the human mind is much more than that reductionist myth. I want you to remember the truth: it’s detailed and interesting.
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