Personal Growth

Debunking Psychology Myths and Misconceptions, with Erin Smith, PhD | Speaking of Psychology

American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychological Association (APA)•May 6, 2026

Why It Matters

Persistent psychology myths shape personal decisions and public policy; targeted education can curb their societal impact.

Key Takeaways

  • •Misconceptions persist even after intro psychology courses among college students
  • •Targeted instructor effort improves students' ability to identify myths
  • •Learning‑style and subliminal‑message myths rank among hardest to debunk
  • •Higher GPA students more likely to reject false psychological claims
  • •Social media echo chambers reinforce myths, complicating correction efforts

Summary

The episode of Speaking of Psychology features Dr. Erin Smith discussing a multi‑institution study that surveyed roughly 900 college students after completing an introductory psychology course. Researchers presented a 40‑item quiz of common psychology myths—ranging from left‑brain/right‑brain stereotypes to the 10‑percent‑brain myth—to gauge which misconceptions persisted.

Results showed that many false beliefs remained entrenched despite classroom exposure, especially myths about learning styles and subliminal messaging. However, classes where instructors devoted explicit time to a particular misconception saw higher rates of student recognition that the claim was false. Students with higher self‑reported GPAs were more adept at rejecting myths, while female students endorsed them slightly more often, a pattern the authors note warrants further investigation.

Dr. Smith highlighted how repeated exposure reinforces false beliefs, even when debunked, and warned that social‑media echo chambers amplify this effect. She quoted the paradox that “the very act of stating a misconception can unintentionally strengthen it,” underscoring the cognitive challenge of correcting entrenched ideas.

The findings suggest that psychology educators must adopt deliberate, evidence‑based strategies—such as focused myth‑busting sessions and fostering scientific reasoning—to reduce the spread of misinformation. Broader implications extend to public policy, media literacy, and the way society evaluates scientific claims, emphasizing the need for systematic myth correction beyond the classroom.

Original Description

From the idea that we only use 10% of our brains to the belief that each of us has an optimal learning style that helps us learn best, many popular “facts” about human behavior aren’t actually true. Yet they persist, even among students who have studied psychology. Erin Smith, PhD, explores why misconceptions about the mind are so widespread and how repetition and social influences reinforce false beliefs; discusses the role of psychology education in debunking myths and shaping critical thinking; and offers advice on how all of us can become more thoughtful consumers -- and sharers -- of psychological science.
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