Why is your horoscope always right?
Have you ever read your horoscope and felt that it accurately described your personality and situation? Have you ever wondered how a generic text can apply to so many different people? The answer lies in the Forer effect, a psychological phenomenon that explains why the horoscope is correct. Why is your horoscope always right? The Forer effect, also called the Barnum effect, occurs when a person accepts as valid an ambiguous and general description that supposedly fits their particular case. This occurs because we tend to look for meaning and confirmation of our beliefs in the information we receive, and to ignore or minimize what doesn't match them. Thus, the horoscope takes advantage of the characteristics common to all human beings, such as the desire for love, success, security or happiness, and presents them in a vague and adaptable way to any context. For example, if you read that "today you will have an opportunity to improve your work situation", you can ...