US High School Psychology Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Phrenology is regarded today as an obsolete and disregarded practice primarily because it was based on flawed assumptions about the brain and its functions. Developed in the early 19th century by Franz Joseph Gall, phrenology posited that different regions of the brain corresponded to specific personality traits and that the shape of a person's skull could indicate their psychological attributes. This theory lacked scientific rigor and was never substantiated through empirical research.

As our understanding of the brain has evolved, with advancements in neuroscience and psychology, the notions promoted by phrenology have been thoroughly discredited. Modern science recognizes that complex human behaviors and personalities are influenced by a wide array of biological, environmental, and social factors, far beyond the simplistic and superficial measurements proposed by phrenology. This historical analysis highlights why the practice is no longer considered valid or relevant in contemporary psychological or scientific discourse.