Everyone has consulted your horoscope at some point, however skeptical you may bea. Even if it’s just out of curiosity, to have a laugh with friends or because it has appeared before you. For a long time now Astrology is not considered a science. Many people even consider it a scam.
If there is one thing that is clear, it is that, even so, Many people can’t resist reading what it says about their zodiac sign. from time to time. Some even read horoscopes to feel better. And the reason is scientifically proven.
What is the Forer effect
The Forer effect is a common psychological phenomenon in which People give highly accurate ratings to certain descriptions of their personality that supposedly fit them, but that They are actually quite vague, and general enough so that they can be applied to a larger number of people.
The scientific community has conducted several studies to understand why people continue to believe in horoscopes. This branch of Astrology precisely uses generalizations that fit almost anyone.. Perhaps feeling part of something makes people embrace these kinds of descriptions so quickly.
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The origin of the Forer effect
The psychologist Bertram R. Forer performed an experiment in the year 1948 he explained How some divinatory disciplines such as astrology, tarot and even personality tests workTo carry out the experiment, he gave his students a personality test and then gave them a form with the results of the analysis.
Based on the descriptions of various horoscopes, He wrote a fairly generic description, and taught it to those students individually.Participants had to rate from 1 to 5 how much they identified with that description. The average that came out as a result was 4.6.
This number was more than enough of an indication that the students believed the text was addressed to them. The surprise came when Forer revealed to these students that The results sheet had been the same for everyoneThis experiment has been carried out on more than one occasion, obtaining very similar results.
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So why do people still read horoscopes?
Astrology uses very generic language which greatly increases the likelihood that a large number of people will identify with certain descriptions. The main precept that astrologers use is not to go into details..
Many People read their horoscope on a daily basis for psychological comfort that brings them. These texts that seem to describe your life can give you a sense of control that has a calming effect on the brain.
The famous cognitive confirmation bias also comes into play, which leads people to accept all information that fits well with your expectationsIt should be noted that some factors, such as the analysis appearing more personalized, make this effect stronger.
Although reading the horoscope is not a negative thing, and it is good to spend time with friends, it is better Go to a psychology expert who can help you get to know your personality betterThere are numerous scientifically backed therapies that can improve your well-being.
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Tags: Science, Curiosities