Each entry on this list of common misconceptions is worded as a correction; the misconceptions themselves are implied rather than stated. These entries are concise summaries; the main subject articles can be consulted for more detail.
Common misconceptions are viewpoints or
factoids that are often accepted as true, but which are actually false. They generally arise from
conventional wisdom
The conventional wisdom or received opinion is the body of ideas or explanations generally accepted by the public and/or by experts in a field.
History
The term "conventional wisdom" dates back to at least 1838, as a synonym for "commonplace kno ...
(such as
old wives' tales),
stereotypes
In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalization, generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can ...
,
superstition
A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic (supernatural), magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly app ...
s,
fallacies
A fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning in the construction of an argument that may appear to be well-reasoned if unnoticed. The term was introduced in the Western intellectual tradition by the Aristotelian '' De Sophis ...
, a misunderstanding of science, or the popularization of
pseudoscience
Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that claim to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method. Pseudoscience is often characterized by contradictory, exaggerated or unfalsifiable cl ...
. Some common misconceptions are also considered to be
urban legend
Urban legend (sometimes modern legend, urban myth, or simply legend) is a genre of folklore concerning stories about an unusual (usually scary) or humorous event that many people believe to be true but largely are not.
These legends can be e ...
s, and they are sometimes involved in
moral panics.
Arts and culture
'' View full version with citations''
History
'' View full version with citations''
Science, technology and mathematics
'' View full version with citations''
See also
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Legends and myths regarding the ''Titanic''
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List of cognitive biases
Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm and/or rationality in judgment. They are often studied in psychology, sociology and behavioral economics.
Although the reality of most of these biases is confirmed by reproducible ...
*
List of conspiracy theories
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List of fallacies
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List of topics characterized as pseudoscience
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List of urban legends
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Outline of public relations
* ''
Pseudodoxia Epidemica''
* ''
QI''
*
Superseded theories in science
* ''
The Straight Dope''
*
False memory
References
References can be found at the full versions of the three included sub-articles:
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List of common misconceptions about arts and culture
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List of common misconceptions about history
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Sources
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Further reading
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External links
List of children's misconceptions about science
{{DEFAULTSORT:Common misconceptions
Society-related lists
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