Why does everyone believe in constellations?

Barnum effect, also known as Fowler effect/astrological effect, please share it first. Knowing this effect, you may have a certain understanding of why constellations are so popular.

Barnum effect says that people tend to believe that a general and general personality description is especially suitable for him. Even if this description is empty, people will still think that it reflects their own personality and appearance, even if they are not such people at all.

This effect is a phenomenon obtained by psychologist bertram Fowler through experiments in 1948. He tested his students' personality in class, analyzed the results according to the test, and then gave each student a "personal analysis" result. After the test, students rate the fit between the test results and their own characteristics, with 0 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

In the end, the average score of the whole class is 4.26, which means that 39 students think that the description of their grades is in line with their own.

But in fact, every student gets the same "personal analysis", which Fowler collected and integrated in a book about the relationship between constellations and personality.

Now, do you think about the description of personality you see through the constellations, and whether they all conform to this universally applicable feature?

For example, if I search for "Pisces woman's personality", the answer that pops up is as follows:

1. disordered

2. Easy to be lonely

3. Some people have cleanliness, including mental cleanliness.

be apt to fidget

5. such as doubt

6. More artistic talent and imagination

7. Easy to be attracted and influenced by external things

8. Like to pursue perfection

9. It's easy to hold grudges. Extremely sensitive but kind.

10. I don't like strange things.

1 1. Generally, it is gentle.

12. I like to do things with feelings. Generally, reason is behind feelings.

13. eager to be cared about

14. Things are generally not organized, but they like to arrange details.

15. Lack of independent ability, often like to rely on others. It's hard to refuse other people's demands.

16. Very compassionate

17. I like the feeling of being recognized. Once recognized by others, I will be happy for a long time. And it's easy to get excited at ordinary times, because a little thing can keep you awake for days.

Besides being big and empty, you will find that these descriptions are often positive. Even if the first half is negative, the second half will be positive. People are willing to believe what makes them look more positive and positive, so they will agree with their ambiguous descriptions.

Of course, this effect alone cannot explain why the constellation theorem is so popular, because after all, people will think that the constellation really accurately describes themselves and the people around them, so I may extend it to two other effects (just a brief introduction):

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Self-testifying prophecy means that preconceived judgment or language will affect people's behavior and eventually lead to the "reality" of prophecy.

For example, when you go to school, you tell yourself every day that you are a scum (prophecy), so there is no psychological burden (behavior) when you sleep and play games in class. Because you really think you can't understand these lessons even after listening. Over time, you really became a scum (result).

This truth is the same for people who believe in constellations. For example, as an Aries, you are neither cheerful nor optimistic, but because you are exposed to astrology, you think that the typical Aries personality is hidden in you, but it has not been excavated (predicted), so over time, your external behavior and internal personality will change (behavior) according to the description of constellation theory, and gradually become the so-called typical Aries personality (result).

And those whose personalities were different from those described in the constellation theory at first, and then who never believed in the constellation theory, finally became "atypical" in everyone's eyes.

Of course, many people will take people around them as examples to prove the accuracy of the constellation theory. But in fact, when one chooses to support the constellation theory, ta has entered a misunderstanding called "confirmation bias".

Confirmation deviation (confirmation deviation)

Confirmation bias refers to people's tendency to look for evidence to support their views, while ignoring the facts that can refute their views.

Simply put, people will only believe what they want to believe. For example, because you believe in Virgo's perfectionism, when you observe Virgo friends around you, you will only remember their nitpicking details, such as putting books exactly the same and sorting clothes by color, while subconsciously ignoring other facts, such as his computer desktop is messy. The result of this observation is that friends around you, no matter what constellation, will have the typical personality of that constellation, which further deepens your trust in astrology. If you continue to ride a bike, you will find astrological numerology very accurate.

In fact, I believe that horoscope is personal freedom, and sometimes horoscope provides a topic for people to communicate. For example, when two people meet for the first time and talk about constellations, they get to know each other quickly. But don't use constellations to judge people's character and behavior, because it is a bit too simple and rude, and don't use constellations to label others. You don't know whether your sentence "xx has such characteristics" is good or bad for others.

Finally, don't define yourself because of the description of personality in the constellation, you can make reference, but? Your exploration and understanding of yourself can't be limited to these short descriptions.