Some people say that tarot is a terrible thing because it is really accurate.

To understand why tarot cards are so accurate? We need to understand two psychological effects first: one is Barnum effect and the other is Rosenthal effect. These two effects are the fundamental reasons why constellations and tarot cards are so accurate.

1, Barnum effect

Barnum effect, a psychological phenomenon proved by psychologist bertram Fowler in 1948, is named after the sage technician barnum. He thinks that everyone can easily believe that a generalized and general personality description is especially suitable for him. Even if this description is empty, he still thinks it reflects his own personality, even if he is not such a person at all.

The accuracy of tarot cards has scientific basis (why tarot cards are so scary)

For example, when I say to you, "You are a kind and compassionate person."

Do you think I'm right? Most people think they are talking about themselves, right? This is the Barnum effect.

The description of 12 constellation all uses Barnum effect. If you don't believe me, block out the names of the constellations, and then look at each description, and you will find that the descriptions of each constellation are very similar to yours.

2. Rosenthal effect

Rosenthal effect, also known as pygmalion effect, was put forward by Rosenthal, a famous American psychologist, in primary school teaching. The application in life is that if you have a personality expectation that others have never had before, they will develop in a similar direction, and vice versa. If the mother often praises the child's love of learning, then the child will like learning more and more, and his academic performance will get better and better, because the mother gives the child positive psychological hints. On the contrary, when we often blame, complain and despise children, which direction will children develop?

For constellations and tarot cards, it also reflects the Rosenthal effect, which is essentially just a kind of self-suggestion that affects us: we will rejoice when we see clearly defined words; If you see that your fortune is not good recently and your marriage is not smooth, I believe you will be discouraged for a while!

By understanding the above two theories of Barnum effect and Rosenthal effect, are you beginning to understand a little?