Abstract
Is it really true people have either a left brain or a right brain personality corresponding with their dominant brain hemisphere? Prior to class, students complete a short reliable survey to identify brain hemispheric dominance and another short survey to identify brain hemisphere personality. During class, we introduce important topics in neuropsychology and challenge a popular myth about left versus right brain personality. With personally relevant data, we reinforce or preview lessons on graph interpretation, correlation, reliability, validity, and hypothesis testing. By guiding students through common-sense leaps built on grains of truth from science, we experience an example of foregoing our critical thinking skills, leading us astray to a false conclusion. From here faculty may emphasize the hallmark of critical thinking and scientific inquiry. We do not accept ideas simply because they sound reasonable. We accept ideas because of evidence.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Psychological Myths, Mistruths, and Misconceptions |
| Subtitle of host publication | Curriculum-Based Strategies for Knowledge Change |
| Editors | Karla Lassonde, Melissa Birkett |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association |
| Chapter | 5 |
| Pages | 38-45 |
| State | Published - 2021 |
Keywords
- psychology myth
- brain hemispheric dominance
- personality
- common sense
Disciplines
- Neuroscience and Neurobiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology