Phrenology is a pseudoscience that emerged in the early 19th century, proposing that the shape and size of various areas of the brain (and thus the overlying skull) determine a person’s character, personality traits, and intellectual abilities. It was founded by German physician Franz Joseph Gall around 1796. Gall theorized that different brain regions were responsible for different aspects of personality and behavior and that the development of these regions would cause corresponding bumps or indentations on the skull. Today, phrenology is considered a historical curiosity and an example of how early scientific endeavors can go astray. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of scientific methods and evidence in forming theories about the human mind and behavior. Sadly, though, its pernicious influence can still be felt today. Join Tom and Jenny on this wild journey into pseudoscientific nonsense on a heady episode 406.

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