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Module 1.4b

the phantom ringing (“tinnitus”) sound experienced by people with hearing loss is — if
heard in one ear — associated with activity in the temporal lobe on the brain’s opposite side
( Muhlnickel, 1998 ).
PRACTICE
Association Areas
So far, we have pointed out small cortical areas that either receive sensory input or direct Argumentation (SP 4)
muscular output. Together, these occupy about one-fourth of the human brain’s thin, (Times vary) The “Developing
wrinkled cover. What, then, goes on in the remaining vast regions of the cortex? In these association areas areas of
association areas, neurons are busy with higher mental functions — many of the tasks that the cerebral cortex that are not Arguments Questions” included
make us human. involved in primary motor or here are designed to enhance stu-
Electrically probing an association area won’t trigger any observable response. So, unlike sensory functions, but rather
the somatosensory and motor areas, association area functions cannot be neatly mapped. are involved in higher mental dents’ argumentation skills, which
functions such as learning,
®
Does this mean we don’t use them — or that, as some 4 in 10 people agreed in two surveys, remembering, thinking, and will be assessed on the AP exam.
“We use only 10 percent of our brains” ( Furnham, 2018 ; Macdonald et al., 2017 )? (See the speaking. Students should be able to identify
Developing Arguments feature: Do We Use Only 10 Percent of Our Brain?)
the reasoning behind claims and
use scientifically derived evidence
to support or refute conclusions.
®
AP Science Practice Developing Arguments Consider assigning these questions
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
as homework or turning them into a
Do We Use Only 10 Percent of Our Brain? writing assignment.
Electrically probing an association 2 This vast association area 3
1 1 area leads to no observable response. “silence” has led to the false
claim that we really use only Is there really
10 percent of our brain — a 90 percent ASSESS
“one of the hardiest weeds in chance that a bullet to your brain
the garden of psychology.” 1 would land in an unused area? Answers to Developing
4 Brain-damaged animals and humans bear witness: No. Arguments Questions
Association areas interpret, integrate, and act on sensory information
and link it with stored memories. More intelligent animals have larger
association areas. 1. Research on brain-damaged
Motor areas
Association areas animals and humans shows that
Somatosensory areas
association areas in the brain
interpret, integrate, and act on
sensory information and link it with
stored memories. We are using our
Human
Cat
Rat Cat Chimpanzee Human
Cat
Human
Chimpanzee
whole, integrated brain.
Developing Arguments Questions
1. McBurney, 1996, p. 44. Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
1. Using scientifically derived evidence, explain why the idea that we use 2. Before reading the evidence presented here, were you under the 2. Student answers will vary.
only 10 percent of our brain is a myth. impression that we use only around 10 percent of our brain? Identify the
reasoning you found most compelling in refuting this myth.
1. McBurney, 1996, p. 44.
ENGAGE 1.4-7
Association areas are found in all four brain lobes. The prefrontal cortex in the forward (20 minutes) The textbook notes that
part of the frontal lobes enables judgment, planning, social interactions, and processing of damaged frontal lobes are related
new memories. People with damage to this area may have high intelligence test scores and
great cake-baking skills. Yet they would not be able to plan ahead to begin baking a cake for to impairments in moral judgments.
a birthday party ( Huey et al., 2006 ). If they did begin to bake, they might forget the recipe To illustrate for your students how
researchers are using modern brain
The Brain: Brain Regions and Structures Module 1.4b 75 imaging to study moral judgments,
use Teacher Demonstration: Neurosci-
ence and Moral Judgments.
TEACH 1.4-7
03_myersAPpsychology4e_28116_ch01_002_163.indd 75 ENGAGE 1.4-7 15/12/23 9:23 AM M1.4b: Neuroscience and
Teaching Tip (Out of class) Ask students to find (and Moral Judgments
Explain to students that the idea that we use bring to class) an example from any media
only 10 percent of our brains is a myth that source—magazine, newspaper, website, and
arose in the last century. As brain research so on—of someone claiming that we use only
techniques have evolved, scientists have 10 percent of our brains. Have them share
debunked this myth, finding that most of the their examples in class. Use this as a basis
brain is active at any given moment. How- for a class discussion of why critical think-
ever, this myth is still perpetuated through ing skills are so important when consuming
movies, TV shows, and self-help books. popular media.

The Brain: Brain Regions and Structures Module 1.4b 75

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