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An fMRI study of scientists with a Ph.D. in physics confronted with naive ideas in science

Physics

An fMRI study of scientists with a Ph.D. in physics confronted with naive ideas in science

G. Allaire-duquette, L. B. Foisy, et al.

This fMRI study explores how even highly trained physicists grapple with naive scientific ideas. Researchers found that physicists were slower and less accurate when judging incongruent statements, illuminating the role of executive function in overcoming these persistent misconceptions. Discover the intriguing findings from Geneviève Allaire-Duquette, Lorie-Marlène Brault Foisy, Patrice Potvin, Martin Riopel, Marilyne Larose, and Steve Masson.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This fMRI study investigated the persistence of naive ideas in science among 25 Ph.D. physicists. Participants judged the scientific value of statements, some incorporating naive ideas (incongruent) and others not (congruent). Physicists were slower and less accurate judging incongruent statements, with fMRI data revealing increased activation in frontal brain regions associated with inhibitory control. This suggests that even highly trained scientists rely on executive functions to overcome persistent naive ideas.
Publisher
npj Science of Learning
Published On
May 11, 2021
Authors
Geneviève Allaire-Duquette, Lorie-Marlène Brault Foisy, Patrice Potvin, Martin Riopel, Marilyne Larose, Steve Masson
Tags
fMRI study
naive ideas
scientific value
executive functions
physics
brain activation
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