5 Myths You've Probably Seen on TV

This paragraph delves into the myth of subliminal messaging and its influence on human behavior. It recounts the 1957 incident where an advertising executive claimed to have increased popcorn and Coca-Cola sales using subliminal messages, which was later debunked as a hoax. The paragraph also reviews research showing that while subliminal perception exists and people can react to stimuli they are not consciously aware of, subliminal advertising has not been proven to effectively change consumer behavior. Exceptions occur when the subliminal message aligns with an individual's pre-existing motivation. The segment concludes by noting that while subliminal advertising is not illegal in the U.S., it is frowned upon by the Federal Communications Commission due to its misleading nature.

This paragraph examines the concept of repressed memories, which are memories of distressing events that are believed to be unconsciously suppressed but still influence behavior. The idea originated from Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis and gained popularity in the 1980s with therapists using techniques like guided imagery to uncover these memories. However, this approach has been criticized for potentially creating false memories. Studies have shown that people who believe they have recovered repressed memories are more susceptible to false memories in general. The paragraph emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing true recovered memories from false ones and the importance of taking trauma seriously, while also acknowledging that the concept of repressed memories is not as clear-cut as once believed.

This section discusses the phenomenon known as the midlife crisis, a term coined by psychoanalyst Elliot Jaques in 1965, which refers to a period of emotional turmoil when individuals realize they have lived more than half their life. The paragraph reviews the origins of the concept and its popularization by Daniel Levinson, who believed that middle-aged individuals experience a crisis due to a sense of insufficient accomplishment. Recent research has attempted to identify the midlife crisis in larger and more diverse populations, discovering a U-shaped curve of happiness levels over a person's lifetime, with happiness dipping in middle age before rising later. However, this U-curve pattern is still debated, with some studies suggesting a steady increase in well-being with age. The paragraph highlights the complexity of defining and identifying a midlife crisis and the need for further research.

This paragraph explores the bystander effect, a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The concept was popularized by the tragic case of Kitty Genovese, which was later found to be misreported. The paragraph reviews studies that have confirmed the bystander effect but also found that it is not as straightforward as initially thought. Factors such as the specific situation, the bystanders' characteristics, and the clarity of the emergency can influence whether the effect occurs. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of making it clear that help is needed and ensuring individuals feel responsible for providing assistance in an emergency.

This section critiques the use of IQ tests as a measure of intelligence. It explains that IQ tests were originally developed by Alfred Binet to help identify children who might struggle in school and need additional support. The paragraph discusses how IQ scores can be influenced by various factors, including motivation, cultural values, and educational opportunities. It also points out that intelligence is a multifaceted concept that IQ tests may not fully capture, such as social, emotional intelligence, creativity, and self-awareness. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging that while IQ tests are not perfect, they can be a useful tool for predicting learning outcomes and informing educational policies.

This paragraph investigates the impact of motivation on IQ test results, revealing that external incentives, such as cash rewards, can significantly increase scores. It discusses how factors like cultural values and family environment can affect IQ scores, suggesting that intelligence is a result of both genetic and environmental influences. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of viewing intelligence as malleable and how this perspective can benefit learning and academic achievement. It also highlights the limitations of IQ tests and cautions against defining a person solely by their IQ score.