False Assumption Registry

Science

21 entries in this category

• Groups Have Equal Innate Potential
  Races and the sexes have the same innate distribution of potential, making all group disparities the result of environmental forces.
  Mainstream still holds this assumption to be true despite evidence against it 26 sources
• Ego Depletion Limits Willpower
  Self-control depletes like a limited resource after use, causing subsequent failures.
  Mainstream now strongly agrees this assumption was false 8 sources
• Academic Hiring Favors Men
  Academic hiring, tenure decisions, and promotions systematically favor men over women.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 5 sources
• Race-IQ Inquiry Must Be Silenced
  Open discussion and research on race differences in IQ are so dangerous that they justify censorship, institutional bans, or self-imposed ignorance to prevent racism and stereotypes.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 4 sources
• Lab Studies Predict Real Behavior
  Controlled lab experiments in social psychology reliably demonstrate effects that occur and matter in the real world.
  Growing recognition that this assumption was false, but not yet mainstream 3 sources
• COVID-19 Has Natural Origin
  SARS-CoV-2 emerged naturally from wildlife and the lab-leak hypothesis is a baseless conspiracy theory.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 2 sources
• Sacks' Case Studies Factual Neurology
  Oliver Sacks' published case studies accurately depicted real patients and neurological truths.
  Mainstream now strongly agrees this assumption was false 2 sources
• Watson Unfit Over Race Comments
  James D. Watson's comments on racial inequality disqualify him from leading genetics research despite his managerial success.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 2 sources
• Epigenetics Transmits Ancestral Trauma
  Environmental stresses and traumas are transmitted across multiple human generations via heritable epigenetic modifications.
  Growing recognition that this assumption was false, but not yet mainstream 1 sources
• California Gnatcatcher is Distinct Species
  The California gnatcatcher is a separate endangered species from the black-tailed gnatcatcher warranting federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• Skull Size Reveals No Traits
  The size and shape of the head have no bearing on mental and behavioural traits in either individuals or groups.
  Mainstream still holds this assumption to be true despite evidence against it 1 sources
• Education Drives Twins-Apart IQ Differences
  IQ differences of identical twins reared apart are significantly influenced by educational differences.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• Quantum Supremacy Evokes White Supremacy
  The scientific term 'quantum supremacy' irresponsibly evokes 'white supremacy' and risks sustaining divisions in race, gender, and class.
  Growing recognition that this assumption was false, but not yet mainstream 1 sources
• Suppress Native American Alcohol Research
  Scientists should cover up Native Americans' binge drinking problems rather than study their biochemical causes.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• Amyloid Causes Alzheimer's Disease
  Amyloid proteins are the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease, prompting a cascade of biochemical changes that lead to dementia.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• All Humans Have Identical Dexterity
  Human populations possess uniform physical traits like finger size and manual dexterity, with no innate group differences affecting precision assembly.
  Mainstream still holds this assumption to be true despite evidence against it 1 sources
• Toumaï is Oldest Hominin
  The Toumaï skull from Chad represents the oldest known hominin and ancestor of humankind.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• Universal Health Standards Fit All Humans
  Clinical standards like growth charts and BMI thresholds assume a single human prototype applicable across all populations regardless of ancestry.
  Growing recognition that this assumption was false, but not yet mainstream 1 sources
• Skull Study Is Racist and Icky
  Scientific study of human skulls for brain evolution insights is inherently racist, unscientific, and distasteful.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources
• Mass Firings Reform NIH Effectively
  Indiscriminate firing of thousands of NIH researchers and drastic funding cuts eliminate waste and wokeness without destroying biomedical excellence.
  Growing recognition that this assumption was false, but not yet mainstream 1 sources
• Psych Concepts Valid Without Data
  Psychological theories like stereotype threat, ego depletion, and implicit bias remain valid even when replication data fails to support them.
  Experts are divided on whether this assumption was actually false 1 sources