Popular Misconceptions

There are many popular misconceptions, old wives tales, familiar sayings, proverbs, and rules-of-thumb. Indeed, there are so many that it would take several very large books to try to dispel all of them. I shall illustrate a few for the purpose of convincing you that being a skeptic about "common knowledge" is appropriate. You may or may not believe the following propositions, but you have probably heard about them and perhaps wondered about the truth.

1.

You "can" teach old dogs new tricks. It is difficult to teach anyone of any age a new trick that requires changing a well-learned habit, but learning ability normally survives to a very old age.

2.

High sexual activity in youth ödoes notò diminish future sexual activity. Indeed, people whose sexual needs are high in adolescence, tend to remain that way.

3.

Practice "does not" make perfect. Because you learn what you practice the way you practice, only perfect practice makes perfect.

4.

You "do not" catch a cold from being wet and cold. You catch a cold by contact with a virus transmitted from another person.

5.

One "does not" contract a venereal disease from a toilet seat. Unless an open sore makes contact with an infected seat, VD is trans mitted only by sexual activity.

6.

As a rule, girls "are" better in verbal skills, and boys "are" better in math skills. Both girls and boys can be good (or bad) in both, but there is some biological relationship with gender.

7.

Traits ödo notò always balance out. Pretty/handsome people also tend to be healthier and more intelligent.

8.

Remembering trivial facts "does not" waste space in memory. Memory capacity is unlimited, but trivia may sometimes interfere with recalling important information.

9.

Sexual activity "does not" use up an especially vital energy. Record performances in races and games have occurred shortly after a sex act (masturbation or intercourse).

10.

People "are not" especially bad at remembering names. Memory is as good (or bad) for names as for other information. Many people are especially bad at attending to and hence learning names.

11.

Slow learners "do not" remember more of what they learn than fast learners. If anything, the opposite is true.

12.

Having superstitions "is not" a sign of stupidity. Everyone tends to infer causality from observed correlations.

13.

Alcohol "is not" a stimulant, even in small amounts. Alcohol may lower one's inhibitions, making one appear to be stimulated.

14.

High motivation "does not" help one solve complex problems. The more difficult the material, the lower the level of motivation that is optimal for learning and problem-solving.

15.

People of the same gender are more concerned about the size of your genitals than people of the opposite gender. To the latter, it is what you do with your equipment that matters most.

16.

Eating chocolate and junk food "does not" cause one to have a poor complexion. Blemishes are a result of hormonal condition and/or poor habits of skin care.