Socio-cognitive biases are associated to belief in neuromyths and cognitive enhancement: A pre-registered study

This study identified the psychological and cognitive factors that predispose people to believe in neuromyths (e.g., the belief that we only use 10% of our brain) and in cognitive enhancement (e.g., the belief that brain stimulation devices can enhance cognition). A new scale to measure belief in neuromyths and cognitive enhancement was developed and validated. Belief in neuromyths was related to a more intuitive (compared to an analytical) thinking style, a stronger need for cognitive closure, a simpler view of epistemic cognition, endorsement of a fixed mindset, and it was inversely related to scientific literacy. Belief in cognitive enhancement was specifically related to the endorsement of a growth mindset. No clear effect of the presence or absence of brain pictures on credibility ratings for neuroscientific explanations and intuitive thinking was found. These findings suggest that belief in neuromyths and cognitive enhancement is a multifaceted phenomenon and that interventions to foster public understanding of neuroscience could be aimed at affecting thinking styles.