Forer effect - Definition and Overview

The Forer effect (also called the Barnum effect after P.T. Barnum) is an effect based on self-validation of personality descriptions, where an individual gives a high rating to a positive description that supposedly applies specifically to himself. In fact such descriptions are vague enough to apply to a wide range of people. The Forer effect provides an apparent explanation why many people accept some pseudosciences, such as astrology, graphology and fortune telling.

B.R. Forer

In 1948, psychologist B.R. Forer gave a personality test to his students, and then gave them a personal analysis. He invited each of them to rate the result on a scale of 0 (very poor) to 5 (excellent) as it applied to themselves: the average was 4.26. He then revealed that each student had been given the same analysis.

The analysis given was:

"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."

See also: list of cognitive biases, cold reading.

Horoscopes

The Forer effect has been known to be used heavily in horoscopes in various publications as a way to entice readers into believing in astrology and its powers of prediction.

External link

• Skeptic's Dictionary: the Forer effect (http://www.skepdic.com/forer.html)

References

• Forer, B. R. (1949). The fallacy of personal validation: A classroom demonstration of gullibility. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 44, 118-123.