What is the basis of constellation analysis of personality? Science?

Secret: How credible is the analysis of personality with constellations?

In 1950s, psychologist paul muller named freire after Phineas Taylor Barnum, a famous American circus artist. The experimental result was Barnum Effect. Barnum once said a famous saying that any first-class circus should have the ability to let people see their favorite programs. [19] Years of research show that almost everyone, regardless of gender, age, whether they believe in astrology or not, will be influenced by Barnum effect, such as students and even personnel managers. [20]

Many researchers conducted follow-up research based on freire's experiment, the most famous of which was from the Frenchman Michel Goquelin. [2 1] A company claimed that it could produce a very accurate constellation analysis report with the help of a high-tech computer, so Gao Kuilin sent the detailed birthday information of the notorious French murderer Marcel Bedid to the company. During World War II, Bertie lied to the victims that she could help them escape from France occupied by Nazi Germany. In fact, he injected these people with deadly poison and watched them die slowly. Later, Bedier was convicted of 19 murder and was beheaded in 1946. For the dark and horrible side of Bedie's life, the constellation analysis report drawn by computer made no mention at all. This report is similar to the language used in freire's experiment, but it is a harmless description of barnum. Part of the content is as follows:

He has good adaptability and plasticity. These personalities are brought into full play through skill and efficiency. He is full of vitality in life, but this vitality will develop in the direction of order, control and balance. He is very organized socially, materially and intellectually. He may seem to be a person who is willing to abide by social norms, behave appropriately and have a good sense of morality, and is a member of the middle class with a rich life and sound mind.

Although Bedie was executed in accordance with the law in 1946, the horoscope analysis report also predicted that he would probably "consider making a commitment to his love life" between 1970 and 1972.

Inspired by this, Gao Kuilin had a brainwave and advertised in a well-known newspaper, claiming that he could provide people with computer-generated constellation analysis reports for free. 150 people in France responded to this advertisement. Gao Kuilin sent the analysis report of Bedier constellation to everyone, and asked them to evaluate whether the received analysis report accurately described their personality by scoring. The results show that 94% people know that the content of the analysis report is very accurate. Someone wrote in a letter to Gao Kuilin: "The report generated by this machine is simply wonderful ... I must say it is beyond imagination." Another person wrote: "It is incredible that an electronic device can calculate a person's personality and future." Others were deeply moved by the accuracy of this report and were willing to pay Gao Kuilin for a more detailed analysis report.

So why are so many people confused about this type of description?

People agree with these descriptions because they are correct for most people. After all, who wouldn't strongly question the important decision he made? Who can deny wanting others to appreciate and admire themselves? Who doesn't have an urgent need for security? Even some descriptions that sound personalized may be correct for many people. A few years ago, my colleague psychologist Susan Blackmore conducted a survey on more than 6,000 people. She told these people some descriptions commonly used in astrology, which looked very personalized, such as "there is a man named Jack in your family". [22] The survey results show that about13 people have a scar on their left knee,13 people have a tape or CD of Han Deer's Water Music,15 people have a name "Jack" at home,1/kloc-0. Many of barnum's descriptions seem to be correct, because most people's thoughts and behaviors are easy to guess.

In addition, there is the so-called "flattery effect". Most people prefer to believe things that make them look more positive and positive. So they will agree that they still have a lot of untapped potential, and they are people who like to think independently. This effect explains why about 50% people believe in astrology. Traditionally, the twelve constellations can be divided into six "positive" constellations (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius) and six "negative" constellations (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces). Generally speaking, the related features of positive constellations sound more pleasing than those of negative constellations. It is generally believed that Libra people tend to pursue peace and beauty, while Taurus people pay more attention to material things and are more likely to be dissatisfied. Margaret hamilton, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, once asked people to provide their date of birth and choose a score from 0 to 7 according to their belief in astrology. As predicted by the "flattering effect", it is obvious that people with positive constellations are more likely to believe in astrology than those with negative constellations. [23]

Studies by freire and his followers show that constellations have deceived millions of people in the past thousands of years. Astrologers can talk nonsense. As long as they are vague enough and flattering enough, most people can't wait to say that astrologers' analysis is "very accurate". Therefore, there is not much scientific evidence to support astrology.