Psychology Myth vs. Fact Quiz (10 questions)

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The idea that the left and right hemispheres of the brain have different specializations is correct. It's called lateralization. But, the differences between the 2 sides are there in all people. Specialized brain regions don't specialize so much that you can classify people as one or the other.

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Personality changes over time. Studies and anecdotes show there are massive changes to behavior, attitudes, temperaments, and preferences over decades. Personality is partly genetic, but partly environmental. Changing environments puts demands on the brain to change in ways that we can't anticipate.

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Did you guess or did you know the 10?

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Win! Language and music engage the brain and build cognitive reserve. That reserve is like fortifying the brain against damage, and that preserves cognition later in life.

More on neuroplasticity here.

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Mental health problems can be corrected without medicine. Empathetic conversations, lifestyle changes, learning relaxation techniques, changing attitudes, and improving behavior often help people a lot.

You know it.

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We have 80-100 billion neurons do most of the cognitive brain work, including maintaining bodily systems. But there are another 80-100 billion Glial cells that maintain the neurons, clean up the system, and assist the neurons in most other functions.

Win.

Remembering recreates a memory from key details. It's like the brain re-writes a story captured as a memory, and sometimes fills it with incorrect details or forgets certain aspects.

Win, you know the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist!

Psychologists typically have non-medical degrees, usually a masters, mphil, or doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in one of the areas of psychology. Usually clinical/counseling psychology. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, have a medical degree, and can prescribe medication. Psychologists can't.

Win, you know it.

The meshing hypothesis states that matching a learners preferred modality with a learning format will improve learning. (e.g., visual learns see pictures, kinesthetic learners gain real-world experience, auditory learners listen to lectures). The hypothesis has repeatedly failed to gather evidence in favor. Learning styles are not learning styles; they are preferences, and they affect a feeling of learning more than actual learning.

Win, but its not a dramatic change.

There's been a back-and-forth on this. While some studies were conducted poorly, a large meta-analysis does show that smiling can improve mood marginally. This happens via the facial feedback hypothesis which states that activating facial muscles makes the brain sync with a mood associated with the expression.

More on the science behind fake-it-till-you-make-it.