Final answer:
The claim that listening uses 75 percent of the brain, with the remaining 25 percent dedicated to thinking about a response, is false. Scientific studies show that the brain is highly active and its functions are distributed across different areas during tasks, including listening and language processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that listening uses about 75 percent of the brain, with the remaining 25 percent thinking about what to say next, is false. The brain is far more complex and active than such a simplistic division suggests. Psychological and neuroscientific research demonstrates that the entire brain is potentially active during various tasks with functions distributed across different areas. For example, when processing language and listening, not only are auditory and language comprehension areas engaged, but also areas involved in memory, attention, and executive functions, among others. Moreover, advancements in neuroimaging, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), reveal that a significant portion of the brain is active even during specific tasks.
These tasks require the activation of sensory regions, motor areas, and numerous integrative regions. This activation pattern debunks the myth that humans only use 10 percent of their brains, similarly dismissing the idea that brain activity can be cleanly divided into percentages for listening and preparing to respond. Therefore, while it is true that active listening is a complex task that requires significant brain resources, the claim regarding precise percentages is not supported by scientific evidence. The brain's activity is dynamic and involved in a multitude of processes even when engaged in listening and conversation.