1. Personal thoughts about the chosen topic, If I think the statement is true (accurate) or false (inaccurate), If I think it’s true or false only under certain conditions and Why I think so.
The personal thoughts about the topic that we only use 10 percent of our brains seem untrue and incorrect in my opinion. However, the topic can only be true under a certain condition such as when one is sleeping or resting and the brain or mind is not engaged I many issues unlike at the times when a person is a wake and actively involved in work related engagements. I think so because the brain handles many issues that determine the actions that people do and it is human nature to think many issues and do many at the same time as noted in the ability of human beings to multi-task on various issues of interest. I personally at times have felt very tired when I get involved in activities that require that I multi-task on the issues that I do that at times leaves me with a headache that makes me feel that the brain has been strained and overworked that results in such a feeling of headache-like. The above statements hence can be true only under certain conditions as mentioned above such as while sleeping or resting.
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2. Summarize of the Article and Results
The brain is a big and untapped resource with great powers and abilities, unlike the way it is perceived. Everything we do is linked directly to the brain with different parts of the brain responsible for different activities and responding to stimuli differently. Some activities involving multi-tasking activities make the brain more active exceeding the 10 percent limit in use. There is no justification that 90 percent of the brain lies dormant. The myth goes back more than 100 years, and reporters in the media helped spread it. Barry Beyerstein discovered the “silent cortex” in his brain studies that helped discredit the myth. He also noted the misconception that resulted to the myth started from the 1800s. The 19th C. marked the turning point of discoveries in the physical and biological worlds that Researchers such as Pierre Flourens’s, Pierre Paul Broca, Gustav Fritsch and Eduard Hitzig led to great discoverers related to the subject. Their findings indicated that there we certain regions in the brain that did not respond to stimuli labeled “silent cortex” that were many in human responsible for controlling language and abstract thoughts in humans (Wanjek, nd).
The evidence that refutes the myth includes scans such as PET CAT and MRI among others that indicate no inactive part of the brain at all times. Also, the brain must be used to remain active and a 90 % in inactivity results to a 90% inactive, which is not seen in healthy individuals. More, the evolution standpoints refute the position because the 90 % would have been extinct if not active and useful. The brain requires s more than 20 % of the oxygen inhaled indicating it is an active part of the body with every part active unlike the way indicated in the myth. The brain, when injured, can adapt as noted in young patients and hence re-route neural pathways that maintain its functions an indicator that it is an active organ throughout its parts. Finally, Yoga masters and those injured on the neck downwards learn how they control their autonomic nervous system thus regulating their breathing and blood flow.
The origin of the figure of 10% that popped in the 20th C resulted from the use of non-specific language and also the citation of magazines with phases about the statement. People such as magicians used the limited knowledge to advance their interest and make money. The contemporary complexities realized in life have made people reluctant to use their brains and hence create the notion of 10 % as a correct. Human Inferiority complexes also enhance the myths that have seen people criticize great developments and achievements realized in life such as noted during ancient civilization times that resulted from proper use of the brain to its full potential. It is imperative to note that there is no limit to the minds ability to store knowledge, an indicator of the ever active brain beyond the 10 % stated in the myths.
3. Comparison and contrast of my initial thoughts to your summary of the research article, If the article supports my initial thoughts, My overall reactions, Any potential dangers to believing in psychological misconceptions, how I think psychological misconceptions develop and the things we can do to correct it
My initial thoughts to the summary are partially correct. I believed that 10% figure was minimal and I had thought it would be above 50%. But the article indicates that every part is active and in use that means a 100% active brain unlike in the myth. The article supported my initial thoughts but partially. My overall reaction is that the article is an informative piece that has made me change that perception and re-adjust the initial thoughts that I had. There are potential dangers to believing in psychological misconceptions as one can make a decision about an incident for example related to healthcare t out of the misconceptions that can have adverse consequences and outcomes simply because of the existing misconceptions about psychological positions. Such misconceptions also can contribute to students failing their exams for instance in application questions. The psychological misconceptions develop from sustained untrue positions about psychological issues that lack scientific evidence. Prominent figures or people that are envied by many such as celebrities or politicians can also contribute to the development of such misconceptions because many follow and envy them in most things that they do and believe in and perceive that as true and right positions even when they are not, therefore, enhancing misconceptions. The things that can be done to correct such misconceptions include encouraging support of research in existing issues and positions. Such findings from the research hence published and accessed by all so that it can enhance knowledge sharing and empowerment of the population to neutralize the misconceptions.
Reference
Wanjek, C. (nd). “10 Percent Misconception, 90 Percent Misdirection: The Brain at Work” .Bad Medicine: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Distance Healing to Vitamin O. ISBN: 0-471-43499-X
