The 2000s
13 myths from this era
Learning styles, IQ tests, and climate change feels far away.
What you were taught
Girls are naturally not as good at math as boys
What we know now
A 2011 study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, using global data, disproved the notion that there is a natural male/female gap in mathematical achievement. The study concluded that differences in math performance are due to social and cultural circumstances, not biology.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
IQ tests are the definitive measure of intelligence
What we know now
A 2012 study by the University of Ontario debunked the theory that IQ tests are the sole definitive measure of a person's intelligence. Researchers found that many factors impact the results of such tests, and a single, standardized test yields misleading and imperfect results.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
The marshmallow test proved willpower predicts success
What we know now
The famous marshmallow test was conducted by Walter Mischel in the 1970s, but subsequent research has shown that willpower is not a reliable predictor of success. Instead, success is more closely tied to factors like intelligence, social skills, and perseverance.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
Amelia Earhart's disappearance was solved by a photo
What we know now
In 2017, a photograph appeared to prove that Amelia Earhart survived her plane crash and was taken prisoner by the Japanese. However, it was later proven that the photo was taken two years before her disappearance, leaving the mystery unsolved.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
Planet X (Planet 9) exists and explains gravitational pull
What we know now
While scientists observed a strange gravitational pull in a nearby solar system, the theory that it was caused by a mystery planet (Planet X or Planet 9) was challenged in 2019. Other scientists proved that a large amount of debris could just as easily explain that pull.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
Dinosaurs shed their skin all at once like snakes
What we know now
Contrary to previous beliefs, scientists have discovered proof that dinosaurs shed their skin a little at a time, comparable to human dandruff, not all at once like snakes or lizards.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
Mars was a dry, barren planet
What we know now
For many years, Mars was thought to be a dry, barren planet. However, in 2011, scientists discovered evidence of saltwater on the surface of Mars, indicating the possibility of simple organisms.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
King Richard III was a hunchback
What we know now
History taught that King Richard III was a hunchback. However, after the discovery of his remains, it was proven that he had scoliosis (curvature of the spine), not a hunchback.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010
What you were taught
Vaccines such as MMR cause autism in children
What we know now
The 1998 paper linking MMR to autism was fraudulent and retracted. Large epidemiological studies since then have found no credible association between vaccines and autism, and major health authorities continue to affirm vaccine safety.
Updated understanding emerged around 2010