Barnum Effect
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
If you believe in horoscopes, zodiac signs, global warming, palm readings, crystal balls, veganism, tarot cards, and similar gobbledegook, you are suffering from the Barnum Effect.[1]
The Barnum Effect works best for statements that are positive. People are much less likely to believe that a statement applies to them when it is a negative statement, such as “I often think of hurting people who do things I don’t like.”[2]
The Barnum Effect is defined as the effect "that occurs when individuals believe that personality descriptions apply specifically to them (more so than to other people), even though the description is actually filled with information that applies to everyone."[3]
References
- ↑ Also called the Forer Effect.
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/Barnum-Effect
- ↑ https://thedecisionlab.com/insights/business/the-science-behind-the-barnum-effect