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Ten-percent-of-the-brain myth

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The 10% of brain myth is the widely-perpetuated myth that humans only use 10% of their brains. By association, it is often suggested that by some process a human being may harness this unused potential and in so doing inherit several magnitudes more intelligence.

Though many factors of intelligence may be increased with training, the idea that large parts of the brain remain unused is without substantial foundation. Although many mysteries regarding brain function remain, every part of the brain has a known function.[1][2][3]

Origins

  • The 10% myth most likely arose from a misunderstanding (or public misrepresentation) of neurological research undertaken in the late 1800s or early 1900s when researchers either:
    • discovered that only about 10% of the neurons in the brain are firing at any given time, or:
    • announced that they had only mapped the functions of 10% of the brain at that time (accounts differ on this point).
  • Another possible origin of the 10% myth is that neurons only compose approximately 10% of the cells in the brain; the rest are glial cells that, despite being involved in learning, function differently to neurons.
  • Einstein is reported as quipping that people typically only use 10% of their brains. Although a facetious remark, the media took this as fact.[4]
  • It may have been William James who wrote in 1908: "We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources"[5]
  • There is not a direct relationship between the performance of the brain and its level of activation; this variable has confounded scientists, because some 'gifted' individuals showed less brain activity than those with brain performance considered average. Haier proposed that indeed more gifted individuals might possess more efficient brain circuits.
  • Dr. James W. Kalat, author of the textbook Biological Psychology, points out that neuroscientists in the 1930s knew about the existence of the large number of "local" neurons in the brain, but only knew that these cells were small. The misunderstanding of the function of local neurons may have led to the 10% myth.[6]

Perpetuation

The 10% myth has been spread both unwittingly, by individuals believing it to be fact, and deliberately as an advantageous deception. It is frequently used to give strength to arguments in cognitive training or counseling.

The 10% brain myth occurs frequently in advertisements.[7]

Some New Age proponents propagate this belief by asserting that the "unused" ninety percent of the human brain is capable of exhibiting psychic powers and can be trained to perform psychokinesis and extra-sensory perception.[1] In addition to the fact that humans use their entire brain, there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of psychic powers at all.

  • The DC Comics character Deathstroke gained superhuman powers by increasing the use of his brain from 10% to 90%.
  • In the film Wedding Crashers, Owen Wilson says the myth as a pick up line for the bridesmaid "You know how they say we only use 10 percent of our brains, I think we only use 10 percent of our hearts."[8]
  • In Stargate, mainly in the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis series, the Ancients ascended to an all powerful form of being after expanding their brain function to 100%[9]
  • In Kyle XY the main character uses 70% of his brain, having supernatural powers and being able to learn as quickly as snapping fingers
  • In The Simpsons episode Brother's Little Helper, Bart takes a prescription pill called Focusyn. When bragging about his newfound smarts, Bart tells his sister Lisa, "Did you know that most people use 10% of their brains? I am now one of them!"

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Radford, Benjamin (8 February 2000). "The Ten-Percent Myth". snopes.com. Retrieved 2006-04-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Chudler, Eric. "Myths About the Brain: 10 percent and Counting". Retrieved 2006-04-12.
  3. ^ "A Piece of Our Mind - About Ten Percent". The Two Percent Company. Retrieved 2006-04-12.
  4. ^ "Do People Only Use 10 Percent Of Their Brains". Scientific America(www.sciam.com). 7 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ The Energies of Men, (p. 12)
  6. ^ Kalat, J.W., Biological Psychology, sixth edition, Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., 1998, p. 43.
  7. ^ "Neuroscience For Kids". Eric H. Chudler, Ph.d(University of Washington, Director of Education and Outreach).
  8. ^ "Wedding Crashers (2005) - Memorable quotes(IMDB)".
  9. ^ Stargate Atlantis Season 3 eps 54 "Tao of Rodney"
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