Presented as part of National Psychology Week 2010 by the Psychologists of the Townsville Health Service District.
Myths matter. Psychological misconceptions about human nature not only mislead but can lead to unwise decisions in our everyday lives. Here's a sampling of some and the more genuine knowledge revealed by psychologists that guide our thinking and interventions and that may apply to your life.
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Happiness is determined mostly by our external circumstances.
True.
False.
Opposites attract in romantic matters.
True.
False.
The more people present at an emergency the greater the chance someone will intervene.
True.
False.
People tend to make decisions that are generally wiser and less extreme when they in a group, as opposed to a decison made alone or independently.
True.
False.
Familiarity breeds contempt: we dislike things we've been exposed to more frequently.
True.
False.
There is no such thing as an "addictive personality".
True.
False.
Most psychopaths are violent and are out of touch with reality.
True.
False.
A psychologically-caused disorder requires psychotherapy. A biologically-caused disorder requires medication.
True.
False.
People who experience trauma must fully "process" the trauma to improve.
True.
False.
A clinician's "school of therapy" is the best predictor of treatment effectiveness.