People whine and vent all too often. And that's okay most of the time.
But this past week, the internet was just brimming with people dealing with some identity crisis.
Over a changed Zodiac sign.
/complete and utter fail
My Facebook home page had at least 30 people with updates such as, "Mr.I-Don't Have a Life refuses to be a Virgo,' and 'Ms.La Dee Da cries that she is now an Ophiuchus'.
I mean, seriously? :O
In my opinion, this (new?) zodiac sign just sounds like the name of some cough syrup that a doctor scribbles down hurriedly which only the chemist can read.
Anyway, if you're still crying over it. I have some news. Nothing's changed. I'm still Capricorn and I'm still short. Here's what I read on the CNN blog.
"That's worth rephrasing: If you considered yourself a Cancer under the tropical zodiac last week, you're still a Cancer under the same zodiac this week.
Happy? :)
But I was still fascinated by how seriously people took their horoscope. So I decided to read up a little on this. And look what I found.
The Forer Effect. It explained a lot.
Basically, the Forer Effect is a term used to describe the tendency of people to interpret general statements as being accurate for them personally, even when they are not.
This American psychologist Bertram Forer conducted a personality test in 1941, and asked the students to rate how well the test results described unique aspects of their personality. They received these statements.
You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others' statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.
Students rated their results on average at 85.2% accurate.
Here's the kick.
They had all received identical personality assessments.:D
That's because the tropical zodiac – which is fixed to seasons, and which Western astrology adheres to – differs from the sidereal zodiac – which is fixed to constellations and is followed more in the East, and is the type of zodiac to which the Star Tribune article ultimately refers."
Happy? :)
But I was still fascinated by how seriously people took their horoscope. So I decided to read up a little on this. And look what I found.
The Forer Effect. It explained a lot.
Basically, the Forer Effect is a term used to describe the tendency of people to interpret general statements as being accurate for them personally, even when they are not.
This American psychologist Bertram Forer conducted a personality test in 1941, and asked the students to rate how well the test results described unique aspects of their personality. They received these statements.
You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others' statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.
Students rated their results on average at 85.2% accurate.
Here's the kick.
They had all received identical personality assessments.:D
Obviously, the description applies broadly to every living soul who has ever existed on this planet. Which is why I find this experiment so self-deceptively awesome. :P
I guess it all comes down to belief. When you want to believe something, when you want something to be true, then even a general sweeping statement about your love life becomes specific. Suddenly, it all makes sense. You see order in things. You see patterns.
And admit it. Who doesn't find comfort in the predictability of life?
Got to go now.
I have a Information Technology exam tomorrow.
Dead meat.
Later. :)
