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The cult of neuroscience has established itself in popular culture, as Luc Besson’s new film Lucy vividly demonstrates. However, many of the “wonderful” phenomena our brains are capable of don’t actually exist. Here are three of the most popular misconceptions debunked by psychologist Christian Jarrett*.
1. We only use 10% of our brain.
MRI data show that in everyday life we use all areas of the brain (but not simultaneously).
2. Our memory captures events like a video camera.
This is not true. Memories are reconstructive – we recreate the image of the past based on the connections between neurons. It changes every time under the influence of our emotions, self-image and new experience.
3. We remember information better during sleep.
When we sleep, the brain perceives the surrounding sounds and touches, but is not able to process complex information.
* C. Jarrett «The Great Myths of the Brain» (Wiley-Blackwell, 2014).