Why Do We Believe in Horoscopes or Fortune Tellings?

Well, also on platforms such as Netflix or Spotify, and on shopping sites. “special for you” What about the suggestions under the title? Although they offer more personalized offers using the algorithm, they are also barnum effect lies.

What about the things that make our day beautiful and make us consider ourselves a blessing? What is the barium effect?

Barnum effect: the psychology of personalized generalities

Forer effect The Barnum effect, also known as the Barnum effect, is when people make vague and general statements about their own lives. personal truths It defines the tendency to perceive as Barnum’s expressions, which can be adapted to almost everyone, are also taken on general definitions of the person.

And below that subjective verification We are competent. Our subconscious identifies two unrelated events and accepts the information as true if it has personal significance. In fact, we make a completely vague expression our own.

“A sucker is born every minute.”

The person who said these words is famous Showman Phineas Taylor Barnum, who gave the effect its name. Referring to the deceptions in the circus industry he dominates, the entertainer actually made a sentence that is quite appropriate for today. When you think about the headlines in which we were deceived, you will agree.

The Barnum effect was defined in 1956. Psychologist Paul Meehl It emerges with. Another psychologist continues this term, which he adopted for other psychologists who generalize to their patients. The research conducted by this psychologist shows that the Barnum effect first official research is happening. The psychologist puts an end to the accuracy of the effect with the personality survey he applied to his students.

How much is the Barnum effect taking over our lives?

The first of these is, of course, individual effects. People happily accept comments because they are hungry to hear positive comments about themselves. Sometimes, thanks to these comments, people strengthen their image While looking for information to be confirmed, they find themselves in fortune telling or horoscopes.

Horoscopes or horoscopes are it’s just a nonsense Those who live knowing that it is possible may not experience the negative effects of the Barnum effect. But think about your life someone in Aries You don’t because it has such and such features. Or you make your decisions based on your fortune telling. At this point, you are actually confused about the correctness of the decisions you need to make.

It also occurs in business life.

Remember the speeches of your boss who held a meeting with all his employees. Everyone takes credit for the good things he says, but No one takes responsibility for their negative statements One even wonders who is singing it for.

Bosses who are aware of the Barnum effect or who truly understand employee psychology also feedback The importance of providing

There are dozens of them on the internet.

You see that you have entered the music platform you constantly listen to. “Special suggestions for you” list appeared. Of course, they use the algorithm to choose the ones that are close to the style you like. Let’s not get into the technique of the job, but the purpose of doing this is to make you feel special and Feeling that they are only thinking of you.

This system, which works especially on shopping sites, consumption habits It is very useful for the seller with its influence. You are now more aware of what lies behind a “special for you” message.

Although it provides motivation with its positive aspects, it has some dangers.

When very general information is perceived as personal, wrong decisions may occur. Also, constantly searching for guidance, It also weakens the ability to make decisions on one’s own. When considered further, there are disappointments that arise due to unrealistic expectations.

In order to prevent all these, it is important to first know the Barnum effect. Now that we have solved this stage with what has been written so far, critical perspective you can win. Instead of taking common expressions as a personal guide, it is necessary to turn business into fun.

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