Psychology as a science began to develop relatively recently compared to many other sciences. And they cite facts that have long been refuted as arguments in disputes.
10. Brainstorming is more effective in a group
For a long time, psychologists have argued that collective brainstorming is needed to effectively solve the problem. It was believed that a group of people is more productive than one person. But professor at the School of Business, Stiliano Cavadias, refutes this theory. The professor is of the opinion that, alone, a person can find a solution faster than a group of people. In fact, not all people can express their opinion while in a team. The professor believes that each participant should think about the problem alone, write down all the solutions and then propose them for discussion. Kavadias is of the opinion that collective fear is an obstacle to making the right decision.
9. Abilities related to the dominant hemisphere of the brain
One of the areas of psychology that made it possible to divide categories of people into groups. The left hemisphere of the brain was recognized as dominant in one group, and the right in the second. Depending on which hemisphere was considered the main one, a person had a penchant for either exact sciences or creativity. But scientists in the field of neurobiology have refuted this myth. They conducted an experiment in which it was found that none of the hemispheres is more active than the other at rest. And scientists in the field of neurology have never agreed with this theory. If a person had only one hemisphere of the brain dominating, this would adversely affect the functioning of the brain as a whole.
8. Audiences and visuals
Humanity cannot live peacefully if it does not divide people into categories. It is even difficult for many to imagine that a person may not belong to any particular group. After all, the human brain is complex in order to subject people to typing. Another myth that people believe in is dividing people into audials, visuals and kinesthetics. The theory suggests that audiences perceive information better through hearing, visuals through the organ of vision, and kinesthetics through the sensations of the body. To some extent this is true. But such a division is very arbitrary. And to remember information, a person needs all the organs of perception. In addition, the predominant channel of perception in humans can change throughout all years of life.
7. Man uses only 10% of the brain
You can find an article about this myth even on Wikipedia. This theory is actively used in science and psychology books. But any brain scientist will confirm that this is a myth. The brain is an organ and it works at 100%, like other organs of a person. To say that the brain works at 10% is as stupid as to say that the human liver works at 10%. In fact, in certain situations, different parts of the brain are more active than others. But with all this, the brain still works 100%.
6. A pose of strength promotes the release of confidence hormones
The origins of this myth originate in 2015. In one of her speeches at the TED conference, psychologist Amy Cuddy mentioned in her speech that the right posture helps to make a person feel more confident. But scientists have not confirmed the theory of the power of posture. Despite the fact that many people claimed that they really felt more confident when they took a certain pose. But in fact, in these cases, self-hypnosis played a role. Therefore, people felt more confident.
5. Midlife crisis is inevitable
Probably, everyone has heard that after 40 years a middle-aged crisis inevitably sets in. And this crisis awaits every person. This myth of psychology has been around for decades. Age-related crises do exist, but far from all people manifest them. It is believed that people over the age of forty regret their past youth. Begin to behave as youth behaves, so as not to feel the approach of old age. But, according to the results of studies, only 10% of people over 40 face the manifestation of age-related crises. The remaining 90% of people continue to live and lead a familiar lifestyle.
4. A smile can make a person happy
Incompetent psychologists try to convince every person that a smile will help him cope with depression and apathy. Some people believe in the myth of the mystical ability of a smile to heal all psychological problems. But in fact, even if you smile until you turn blue, you will not feel better about it. A smile will not help cope with depression, depression and hypochondria. A smile can help if a person has a neutral emotional state. And a smile can really improve a person’s mood. But if you suppress negative emotions with a smile, your emotional state will only get worse.
3. Men and women communicate differently
How many stereotypes exist that a man and a woman are different. A huge number of books are published every year to learn how to understand the language of women and men. But if you go deeper, the misunderstandings between men and women arise not because of differences in thinking, but because of stereotypes and labels that society hangs on people. In fact, there are no differences in the brain structure of people of the opposite sex. There is no female logic; the mental capacities of women and men are the same. And males are no more rational than women. Logical abilities in people of the opposite sex are at the same level.
2. Opposites attract and form strong pairs
The most common myth in which a huge number of people believe - opposites attract. It is believed that in order to create a strong union, people must have a different temperament, have different interests and outlooks on life. Allegedly, people become more interesting to each other, if they are completely different. But in most cases, this rule works exactly the opposite. People with common interests and similar character traits form stronger alliances.
1. Active expression of emotions will help to cope with anger
There are a huge number of techniques to overcome bouts of anger. Some psychologists advise screaming, throwing things and showing any active emotions to cope with anger. Of course, suppressing strong emotions is very harmful. But this advice can hardly be called effective. Studies prove that the active manifestation of emotions during anger, on the contrary, only reinforce it. The best way to deal with bouts of anger is to stop participating in stressful situations and try not to get into conversations with people who cause such negative emotions.