Myths and Misconceptions about the Psychology of Adolescence and Intimate Relationships

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of psychological myths in two areas of psychology: Adolescence and Relationships. All 517 participants completed two questionnaires in which they rated to what extent they thought various statements/facts about Adolescence and about Intimate Relationships were True or False. A large number of these myths were rated as True (Definitely or Partly). There were few significant demographic correlates of the total correct score (determined by rating the myth as False). Implications are discussed. Psychology fewer misconceptions about psychology.

Myths in psychology: psychological misconceptions among Spanish psychology students

“…Since then, numerous studies have been carried out, either by reviewing myths in different general areas of Psychology ( e.g. , Lilienfeld et al, 2010 ) or by focusing on more specific aspects of the discipline, such as myths about schizophrenia ( Furnham & Bower, 1992 ), ontological development and neuropsychology ( Furnham, 2018 ; Furnham & Grover, 2019 ), intelligence ( Warne, Astle & Hill, 2018 ) or behavior analysis ( Lamal, 1995 ). However, the study of myths is not limited to behavioral science.…”

“…Despite the extensive research on myths in Psychology in other countries—see, for example, Russia ( Aleksandrova-Howell et al, 2020 ), North America ( Basterfield et al, 2020 ; Bensley & Lilienfeld, 2017 ; Brown, 1983 ; Gardner & Brown, 2013 ), United Kingdom ( Furnham, Callahan & Rawles, 2003 ; Furnham & Hughes, 2014 ; Furnham & Grover, 2019 ), or India ( Kishore et al, 2011 )—a study of the same characteristics has not yet been carried out in Spain.…”

The Role of Critical Thinking and Executive Function in Misconceptions in Psychology

“…Psychology as a scientific study of behavior and mental processes cannot be separated from daily human life. Virtually every day, the news media, television shows, films and internet bombard the public with claims regarding a host of psychological topics, such as brain function, psychic symptoms, out of body experience, memory recovery, polygraph testing, romantic relationships, parenting, child sexual abuse, mental disorders, crime, and psychotherapy (Furnham & Grover, 2019;Lilienfeld et al, 2010;Zajac et al, 2013). However, it turns out that not all information provided by the media is correct.…”