College Students' Beliefs in the Ten-Percent Myth

Abstract

Abstract A widespread misconception that has not been studied in previous research on misconceptions is the claim that most people use only about 10% of their potential brain power. We hypothesized that psychology majors would be less likely to believe in this ten-percent myth than would control students with no training in psychology. The hypothesis was not supported, but psychology majors were more optimistic than control students in their beliefs regarding how much brain power people are capable of using. The sources of the students' beliefs in the ten-percent myth were also investigated. It is suggested that direct treatment of misconceptions might be necessary to dispel them and that future research might explore the sources of students' misconceptions.