Victorian Pseudosciences: Brain Personality Maps

In 19th century England, neuroscience was evolving with legitimate research and pseudoscience like phrenology, which falsely linked skull shape to personality traits. Despite criticism, phrenology gained popularity, influencing social hierarchies and racism. Scientific advancements eventually debunked phrenology, revealing the brain's true structure and function. Modern neuroscience, aided by technology, confirms phrenology as junk science, though its influence lingers in language and thought.

What was the main claim of phrenology regarding personality traits?

• They are determined by the shape of the skull.

• They are influenced by diet and exercise.

• They are inherited from parents.

• They are shaped by social interactions.

How did phrenology contribute to social inequalities?

• By promoting equal opportunities for all.

• By suggesting that skull shape justified class and race hierarchies.

• By advocating for the abolition of slavery.

• By encouraging scientific research on brain functions.

Which scientist provided evidence for functional specialization in the brain?

• Paul Broca

• Gustav Fritsch

• Samuel Morton

• Franz Joseph Gall

What did phrenologists incorrectly believe about the brain's structure?

• It was a single organ with networked cells.

• It was made up of discrete chunks.

• It could not be studied scientifically.

• It was identical in all humans.

What modern technologies have advanced our understanding of the brain?

• Homeopathy and acupuncture

• Alchemy and phrenology

• Astrology and palmistry

• Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography