Psychological & Brain Sciences 209H - Myths and Truths in Psychology

Unlike some other scientific fields, we all have some naive understanding and conception about psychology, perhaps because we think we know ourselves quite well. For example, one without expertise in chemistry can only guess what happens if she mixes hydrogen peroxide with dishwashing detergent and yeast, but one without expertise in psychology may easily conclude that listening to music while studying boosts attention and therefore improves performance. However, much of what we believe to be true about ourselves and the human nature is very often false. And, believing these myths as truths is costly in many sense. This course examines myths or widely accepted false beliefs in psychology and analyzes the extent to which they are true or false. In doing so, we will rely on evidence-based scientific foundations to support or to refute part of those myths with an aim to have a better understanding of the human mind and brain and to foster students? ability to have a critical view on the common sense. Students will also work on empirical projects towards seeking scientific evidence to support or refute a common conception in human behavior. (Gen. Ed. SB)

This course is open to Commonwealth Honors College students only.