The Barnum-Forer Effect
Pratyush Pillai
Using Behaviour Design to find the simplest ways to solve gargantuan problems
When reading or hearing something that claims to describe us (like a horoscope), we tend to agree with most of the statements, especially when they all (even the seemingly negative ones) have a positive spin. Like a job interview where you say that your biggest weakness is that you work way too hard. Who won't agree with that description if it's printed in a newspaper?
And as we read through our horoscope, we look for instances in our life when we might have displayed some version of that behaviour. Failing to realise that a statement so generic could apply to anyone & everyone in differing contexts.
I know some of you will still read one tomorrow morning. All I ask is to have a vat of salt by your side as you do.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnum_effect