1
There is a misconception that humans only use a small percentage of their brains. This essay
will look at various academic papers as well as investigating an example of a mundane task,
in order to conclude that this is in fact a myth.
The myth that humans only use ten percent of our brain is a commonplace misconception.
There is evidenc that this myth has been in circulation for centuries, populated both by
scientists and spiritual leaders (Morris,2016). In van Dijk and Lane (2020) (an American
study) it is shown that 42% of participants held the above belief (see figure 1). In van Dijk
and Lane(2020) it can be seen that there are also other myths surrounding the brain that hold
weight.
Figure 1: From van Dijk, W., & Lane, H. B. (2020)
Evolutionary psychologists propose that the human brain has both functional specialisation
and functional integration (Friston & Price,2001). Functional specialisation refers to areas of
the brain having a specific purpose, such as vision or movement, and functional integration
refers to areas of the brain working together for a purpose, such as moving your hand away
from a hot stove (Friston & Price, 2001). Friston & Price (2001) propose that functional
specialisation and functional integration are two processes which aid each other and that both
are necessary for brain function. This is to say, evolutionary psychologists state that each area
of the brain is necessary as it has evolved to carry out specific functions (Duchaine,
Cosmides, & Tooby, 2001).
, 2
When investigating imaging studies, it is possible to see multiple areas of the brain activate
whilst a person is completing one task. In Krueger et al. (2008) a subject busy with integral
calculus problem solving has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure 2). In Szaflarski,
Holland, Schmithorst, & Byars (2006) a subject busy with a language task has multiple areas
of their brain active (see figure 3). In Meister et al. (2004) a subject playing a keyboard which
was made suitable for the fMRI machine has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure
4). Thus, imaging studies show that we use multiple regions of our brains at any given time.
Figure 2: from Krueger et al. 2008
Figure 3: From Szaflarski, Holland., Schmithorst, & Byars (2006).
There is a misconception that humans only use a small percentage of their brains. This essay
will look at various academic papers as well as investigating an example of a mundane task,
in order to conclude that this is in fact a myth.
The myth that humans only use ten percent of our brain is a commonplace misconception.
There is evidenc that this myth has been in circulation for centuries, populated both by
scientists and spiritual leaders (Morris,2016). In van Dijk and Lane (2020) (an American
study) it is shown that 42% of participants held the above belief (see figure 1). In van Dijk
and Lane(2020) it can be seen that there are also other myths surrounding the brain that hold
weight.
Figure 1: From van Dijk, W., & Lane, H. B. (2020)
Evolutionary psychologists propose that the human brain has both functional specialisation
and functional integration (Friston & Price,2001). Functional specialisation refers to areas of
the brain having a specific purpose, such as vision or movement, and functional integration
refers to areas of the brain working together for a purpose, such as moving your hand away
from a hot stove (Friston & Price, 2001). Friston & Price (2001) propose that functional
specialisation and functional integration are two processes which aid each other and that both
are necessary for brain function. This is to say, evolutionary psychologists state that each area
of the brain is necessary as it has evolved to carry out specific functions (Duchaine,
Cosmides, & Tooby, 2001).
, 2
When investigating imaging studies, it is possible to see multiple areas of the brain activate
whilst a person is completing one task. In Krueger et al. (2008) a subject busy with integral
calculus problem solving has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure 2). In Szaflarski,
Holland, Schmithorst, & Byars (2006) a subject busy with a language task has multiple areas
of their brain active (see figure 3). In Meister et al. (2004) a subject playing a keyboard which
was made suitable for the fMRI machine has multiple areas of their brain active (see figure
4). Thus, imaging studies show that we use multiple regions of our brains at any given time.
Figure 2: from Krueger et al. 2008
Figure 3: From Szaflarski, Holland., Schmithorst, & Byars (2006).
