@article{article_1353103, title={The Factual and Ontological Roots of Psychological Misconceptions: A Study on University Students in İstanbul}, journal={Studies in Psychology}, volume={45}, pages={176–191}, year={2025}, DOI={10.26650/SP2023-1353103}, author={Aktaş, Büşra and Yıldız, Zeynep and Kumova, Filiz}, keywords={Psikolojik mitler, psikolojik yanılgılar, eğitim, analitik düşünme, medya}, abstract={Speculations about psychology are widespread and difficult to reduce. Based on this, several studies have already examined the underlying reasons behind holding misconceptions about psychology. In previous studies, cognitive thinking styles were considered the ontological roots of misconceptions, whereas the media and education were considered the factual roots of misconceptions about psychology. However, as a limitation of past research, a smaller number of studies have investigated the interactions between the factual and ontological roots of misconceptions in holding misbeliefs about psychology. In this pre-registered study (N = 598), we aimed to delve deeper into the associations between analytical thinking tendencies, printed, visual, and social media usage, and education (psychology major [n = 350] vs. other majors [n = 248]). The findings showed that psychology students, compared to students from other majors, had fewer misconceptions. Additionally, higher levels of analytical thinking tendency were correlated with holding fewer misconceptions. Moreover, the results showed that there were no significant interactions between psychology education and analytical thinking tendency. Furthermore, there were negative relationships between misconceptions and the usage of print, social, and visual media. In addition, the significant moderator role of analytical thinking tendency was evident in the link between the usage of printed media and held misconceptions. Overall, the present research might shed light on future work aiming to reduce the spread of misconceptions about psychology by indicating the contributions of both ontological and factual sources of misconceptions in holding less erroneous beliefs about psychological concepts.}, number={2}, publisher={İstanbul Üniversitesi}