Missing: 90 percent of the human brain
College MythBusters
Michael Haig and Grace A. Reband
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: Features
Media Credit: illustration by Andy BurkholderWhat convention tells you isn't true - science shows that humans use much more than 10 percent of their brains.
Another winter break has come and gone, and across the country both students and teachers alike prepare for the coming onslaught of new challenges each semester brings. We head into these challenges full throttle after our brains have had a month of atrophy, and now we re-awaken them and feel refreshed and revived once again.
Considering the fact that we only use 10 percent of our brains, it's no wonder that we need to rest them for such a span. They are clearly overworked by being used for not only the basic functions of everyday life, but for all of the intense learning and extreme studying each of us endure. And to think, all of this is done on only 10 percent. But what if we found a way to use the other 90 percent? This certainly sounds exciting. It also sounds like another job for the MythBusters.
While the scientific community agrees that this idea is indeed untrue, the origin of the "10 percent myth" is a long debated topic. It supposedly originated sometime in either the late 1800s or the early 1900s. Not only is it still unclear when exactly the myth originated, it has still yet to be determined who specifically started it. According to resources, the myth is something that developed over time through a compilation of people, rather than from one individual saying it at one time.
Many sincerely believe that Albert Einstein is closely connected with the origination of this myth. People have theorized that his superior intellect is due to his using a greater percentage of the brain than the average human. Others believe that it comes from any one of several historical figures that dedicated their lives to the study of the human brain.
According to Eric Chudler, Ph.D., this myth originated through an experiment done by Karl Spencer Lashley in 1935.
"Lashley found that removal of up to 58 percent of the cerebral cortex did not affect certain types of learning. It is possible that over interpretation and exaggeration of these data led to the belief that only a small portion of the brain is used," said Chudler.
As there is a relatively large amount of available information on the subject, then how was this myth able to seem valid for so long? This is no mystery. Advertisers, marketers, self-improvement advocators, and so-called psychics have exploited this idea for all its worth. Thousands of companies have utilized this adage to promote sales. By encouraging people to use the other 90 percent of their brains, or by claiming to be able to teach others how to do so, sales can be boosted significantly as we all believe in the unlimited potential of the human mind.
The fact of the matter here is that through MRI and PET scans it is quite clear that there is no part of the human brain that remains dormant. We have the technology that proves conclusively that no area of the brain is inactive, much less 90 percent of it. There are certainly varying degrees of neurological activity throughout different regions of the brain, but no part is latent.
So the next time you hear someone say that you only use 10 percent of your brain, correct whomever you are speaking with. Let them know that this could not be further from the truth. However, this myth has been around a long time, and many believe it fervently. If they insist it's true, MythBusters suggests this confident response, "I may not be able to speak for you my friend, but I'm certain that I use all of my brain."
College MythBusters seeks to explore various myths and misconceptions related to UIC and the general college atmosphere. It appears in every other issue of "The Flame." Please direct all questions, comments and suggestions to Grace Reband: greban2@uic.edu
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Considering the fact that we only use 10 percent of our brains, it's no wonder that we need to rest them for such a span. They are clearly overworked by being used for not only the basic functions of everyday life, but for all of the intense learning and extreme studying each of us endure. And to think, all of this is done on only 10 percent. But what if we found a way to use the other 90 percent? This certainly sounds exciting. It also sounds like another job for the MythBusters.
While the scientific community agrees that this idea is indeed untrue, the origin of the "10 percent myth" is a long debated topic. It supposedly originated sometime in either the late 1800s or the early 1900s. Not only is it still unclear when exactly the myth originated, it has still yet to be determined who specifically started it. According to resources, the myth is something that developed over time through a compilation of people, rather than from one individual saying it at one time.
Many sincerely believe that Albert Einstein is closely connected with the origination of this myth. People have theorized that his superior intellect is due to his using a greater percentage of the brain than the average human. Others believe that it comes from any one of several historical figures that dedicated their lives to the study of the human brain.
According to Eric Chudler, Ph.D., this myth originated through an experiment done by Karl Spencer Lashley in 1935.
"Lashley found that removal of up to 58 percent of the cerebral cortex did not affect certain types of learning. It is possible that over interpretation and exaggeration of these data led to the belief that only a small portion of the brain is used," said Chudler.
As there is a relatively large amount of available information on the subject, then how was this myth able to seem valid for so long? This is no mystery. Advertisers, marketers, self-improvement advocators, and so-called psychics have exploited this idea for all its worth. Thousands of companies have utilized this adage to promote sales. By encouraging people to use the other 90 percent of their brains, or by claiming to be able to teach others how to do so, sales can be boosted significantly as we all believe in the unlimited potential of the human mind.
The fact of the matter here is that through MRI and PET scans it is quite clear that there is no part of the human brain that remains dormant. We have the technology that proves conclusively that no area of the brain is inactive, much less 90 percent of it. There are certainly varying degrees of neurological activity throughout different regions of the brain, but no part is latent.
So the next time you hear someone say that you only use 10 percent of your brain, correct whomever you are speaking with. Let them know that this could not be further from the truth. However, this myth has been around a long time, and many believe it fervently. If they insist it's true, MythBusters suggests this confident response, "I may not be able to speak for you my friend, but I'm certain that I use all of my brain."
College MythBusters seeks to explore various myths and misconceptions related to UIC and the general college atmosphere. It appears in every other issue of "The Flame." Please direct all questions, comments and suggestions to Grace Reband: greban2@uic.edu
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