The Barnum Effect - Why People Believe In Astrology And Psychics

Millions of people around the world believe in astrology and horoscopes, fortune tellers and psychic mediums. But why might someone believe in such claims? One explanation is known as the Barnum effect, a psychological phenomenon which we have all likely fallen for at some point.

Sources and additional reading:

Music:
"Fretless", "Impromptu in Blue"
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[TheWorldsStage]

I would never fall for nonsense, but that's because I'm a Leo and Leo's tend to be skeptical

[brainybutnotgeeky.]

The Barnum effect also applies to a plethora of videos on YouTube with titles such as “10 Signs you’re a genius!” or “Signs you have a rare INJP personality” or “Signs you are creative” etc and the masses fall for it as smooth as butter melts at room temperature.

[CogitoEdu]

Just from watching this video I can tell that you are a highly intelligent person that is sometimes too critical of yourself. You will also become romantically rich or whatever in the next few weeks. Please donate €5 to hear more.

[israelwolstein]

"You like to meet interesting people and you can be a lot of fun but you really appreciate your alone time and you don't always feel like being surrounded by people."
That kind of BS

[stenoch]

I am a rational person, so I don't believe the fortunes in fortune cookies. However, I really like the cookies. They remind me of vanilla wafers. I always read the fortunes, even though I discredit their validity. This, I think, is consistent with my personality as an Aquarius. Also, I'm engaged to my umbrella. Is that normal?

[geelipm]

Who else read it as astronomy and physics?

[thface]

I think everyone has fallen victim to the Barnum effect.

[RunnerBeanzDad]

Reminds me of a TV advert, many years ago, where a young lady says to a young man "From what I've seen of you at this party, I'd say you are a Sagittarius.""I am. That's amazing. How did you work that out?" "Well it is your birthday party."

[uritibon]

You might confuse vague statements that can be true for most people as accurate descriptions of yourself, but with some mental effort you can learn to recognise them and avoid making rash decisions based on them. Trust your loyal friends to point out to you the true qualities you posses, and avoid falling prey to deceptive scams. Your lucky number this week is 17.

[sidharthanm]

"You are breathing"
Astrology people:*surprised pikachu face*

[matthewsukhnandan]

I had a live reading with a psychic and she said that I have problems and I’m stuck on the girl I was in my last relationship with. I was confused because I’ve never been in a relationship at the time of doing the reading so I was wondering who she was talking about. She then told me I was very depressed, I was at one of the happier moments in my life at the time. She said I have problems sleeping and that there is something that stand over me “a darkness” while a sleep. I sleep like a baby. I think the darkness she was referring too is the room. Since the lights are off. So I can… you know sleep. Everything was so general, I literally was so upset at myself for wasting my money.

[TRULYMORTAL]

It's why in the past, it was called "sooth saying" Because they will most often tell you what you want to hear not advice you actually need!

[phatcrayonz]

I fell prey to it. When I was 22 I went to a fortune teller. They said I had trouble sleeping and I would live until I was 81 years old. And I would be married late 20’s and start a family in early 30’s. I didn’t get married until 39. Still have no kids. And I never had trouble sleeping I just tried to believe it.

[vvgthup]

"You need food to stay alive"
"You might feel sleepy, If you don't sleep any for 24 hours"

[nishchithhebbar]

The ad for this video was "Psychic Answers", a website for psychic consulting. I swear YouTube is taking the piss out of your videos

[naphakadem]

Stars, moon, sun just vibing and performing their universal purpose

Astrologers: this must mean something about your birth, career, personality and love life.

[michaelmccarty]

Someone who believed in Astrology once tried to convince me and told me something about myself based on my sign. I felt very vindicated when I was able to reply, "Absolutely not. If I was the kind of person who sets his mind to something and gets it done, would I still be working at Subway?"

[TROOPERfarcry]

I once got a fortune-cookie that said that my passenger-side rear tire was about 15 PSI low. It was oddly specific.

[yue]

lol tht BuzzFeed reference though. Cool video! I've always doubted the "results" as they were all so positive and not me.

[bewmdogg]

It's weird how many people are gullible