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Myth Busting
The aim of this research was to look into public views of the myth that people use just a
small part of their brains. The pre-test was used to discover how much people knew about the
myths of neuroscience and if factual learning could influence their beliefs on this matter. Those
taking part in the study were asked to participate and then supplied with basic information on
age, gender, race, and ethnicity along with their beliefs in the myth. The data included people
who just saw the myth and those who saw the myth along with a scientific fact that explains it.
The survey was made to check if reading a scientific fact would impact a person’s belief in the
myth, and if someone’s age, race, or schooling could influence their belief. All the answers were
moved into an Excel spreadsheet especially made to help analyze all the information in an easy
way.
Upon reviewing the survey responses and transferring the data into the spreadsheet, a
total of ten participants were included in the sample for preliminary analysis. Of these, nine
identified as female and one as male. The racial distribution showed that five participants
identified as White, three as Black or African American, one as Asian, and one as Multiracial.
Ethnically, eight participants reported being “Not Hispanic or Latino,” while two identified as
“Hispanic or Latino.” The age range of respondents varied, with three participants aged 26–30,
two aged 31–35, four aged 36–40, and one over the age of 65. The diversity within the sample
provides a preliminary foundation for understanding how myths related to brain usage persist or
dissolve across demographic lines.
People’s beliefs were mainly sorted into four themes: “I do not believe at all,” “I am not
sure,” “I am not sure because the evidence is unclear,” and “I agree.” Three people said they did
not believe the myth, while another three participants showed some doubt by saying, “I am not
Myth Busting
The aim of this research was to look into public views of the myth that people use just a
small part of their brains. The pre-test was used to discover how much people knew about the
myths of neuroscience and if factual learning could influence their beliefs on this matter. Those
taking part in the study were asked to participate and then supplied with basic information on
age, gender, race, and ethnicity along with their beliefs in the myth. The data included people
who just saw the myth and those who saw the myth along with a scientific fact that explains it.
The survey was made to check if reading a scientific fact would impact a person’s belief in the
myth, and if someone’s age, race, or schooling could influence their belief. All the answers were
moved into an Excel spreadsheet especially made to help analyze all the information in an easy
way.
Upon reviewing the survey responses and transferring the data into the spreadsheet, a
total of ten participants were included in the sample for preliminary analysis. Of these, nine
identified as female and one as male. The racial distribution showed that five participants
identified as White, three as Black or African American, one as Asian, and one as Multiracial.
Ethnically, eight participants reported being “Not Hispanic or Latino,” while two identified as
“Hispanic or Latino.” The age range of respondents varied, with three participants aged 26–30,
two aged 31–35, four aged 36–40, and one over the age of 65. The diversity within the sample
provides a preliminary foundation for understanding how myths related to brain usage persist or
dissolve across demographic lines.
People’s beliefs were mainly sorted into four themes: “I do not believe at all,” “I am not
sure,” “I am not sure because the evidence is unclear,” and “I agree.” Three people said they did
not believe the myth, while another three participants showed some doubt by saying, “I am not
