Why do people believe in astrology? EM_Krockow explains that one reason could be the 'Barnum effect,' a cognitive bias that affects us all. Here's how it works.
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The three fortune cookie messages above all have one thing in common: They are suitably vague. For example, while Message 1 promises a ‘pleasant surprise’, it fails to specify both its nature and when to expect it. As a result, anything from an unexpected friend’s visit the next day to a lottery win several months down the line might qualify. This vagueness leaves plenty of room for reading personal meaning into the cookie’s predictions.
Psychology research suggests that the Barnum effect applies to all types of fortune telling as well as personality tests, which give vague or generic descriptions of one’s character. Indeed, aAcceptance of a predicted fortune or personality assessment can be increased by simply stating that a message or statement is “for you”. The simple suggestion that a prediction is specific to the individual rather than the general public appears to make people believe it more.
or a higher need for approval from others may be more likely to accept vague personality assessments or predictions of their future.
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