Fowler, the psychologistBertram Forer）于1948A personality test was conducted on the students and the results were analyzed。After the test, students rated how well the test results fit their own characteristics,0Lowest score,5Mark Max。In fact, all students get“Personal analysis”It's all the same:

“You pray to be liked by others but criticize yourself。Although there are some personality flaws, in general you have ways to make up for them。You have considerable untapped potential that has yet to be tapped into your strengths。The outward appearance of toughness and strict discipline hides the inner feeling of unease and worry。Many times, you have serious doubts about whether you did the right thing or made the right decision。You like a certain amount of variation and resent being limited。You pride yourself on being an independent thinker and will not accept statements without sufficient evidence。But you don't think it's wise to be overly frank with others。There are times when you are outgoing, sociable and social, and other times when you are introverted, cautious and reticent。Some of your ambitions are unrealistic”

Results The average score was4.26This was revealed after the ratings, which Fowler gleaned from descriptions of the relationship between horoscopes and personalities。From the description of the analysis report, it can be seen that many statements are applicable to anyone, and these statements are later named Barnum statements after Barnum。This phenomenon is known as the Barnum effect。

In another study that tested the Barnum effect, students used the Minnesota Multinomial Personality Questionnaire.MMPI), the researchers then evaluated the report。The researchers first wrote down the correct assessments of the students' personalities, but instead gave the students two assessments, one that was correct and one that was fake, using vague generalizations。Later, when the students were asked which assessment they believed was most relevant to them, more than half (59%) and chose the fake assessment report over the real one。

The Barnum effect, also known as the Fowler effect, the astrological effect, is1948By the psychologist Bertram·A psychological phenomenon demonstrated by Fowler's experiments，People often think that a general, general personality description is very accurate to reveal their own characteristics，When people use generic, vague, broad adjectives to describe a person，People tend to accept these descriptions easily，He thinks he's who he says he is。Like a man named Showman·Commenting on his performance, Barnum's famous acrobat said he is popular because the show contains ingredients that everyone likes, so he makes“Every minute someone falls for it”。20世纪50The age of psychologist Paul·Mill is known for the famous American circus entertainer Phineas·泰勒·Barnum named the result of Friel's experiment“The Barnum effect”。

cause

In psychology,“The Barnum effect”The cause is thought to be“Subjective verification”The role of。Subjective verification affects us mainly because we want to believe it in our hearts。If we want to believe something, we can always gather all kinds of evidence to support us。Even if it's completely unrelated, we can still find a logic that makes it fit our assumptions。In our minds,“自我”Takes up most of the space, all about“我”The things are very important。Our license plate number, mobile phone ringtone, computer desktop, bedroom wallpaper will be carefully designed to reflect their own unique personality。

There are also so-called“Flattery effect”。Most people prefer to believe things that make them seem more positive and positive。So they agree with the description that they have a lot of unfulfilled potential and that they like to think for themselves。

Coping method

To avoid the Barnum effect and understand yourself objectively, there are several ways:

1Learn to face yourself。There is such a test of people's emotional intelligence question is: when a unconscious woman is rescued from the water, she wakes up to find herself naked, the first reaction will be to cover what？The answer is to scream and cover your eyes with your hands。

Psychologically speaking, this is a classic case of not wanting to face yourself because you have“缺陷”Or they think it is a defect, they cover it up through their own methods, but this cover is actually like the drowning woman above, it is to cover their eyes。So, to know yourself, you must first face yourself。

2Cultivate an ability to gather information and a keen sense of judgment。Few people are born with wise and prudent judgment. In fact, judgment is the ability to make decisions based on the collection of information. The supporting role of information for judgment cannot be ignored。

3Take people as a mirror, and know yourself by comparing with the people around you in all aspects。In comparison, the choice of objects is crucial。Comparing yourself to those who are inferior to you, or comparing your defects with the advantages of others, will be biased。Therefore, we should choose people with comparable conditions to compare them according to their actual situation, and find out the right position in the group, so that we can know ourselves more objectively。

4By learning about major events, especially major successes and failures。The experience and lessons gained from major events can provide information to understand one's personality, abilities, and discover one's strengths and weaknesses。The more at the peak of success and the trough of failure, the more it reflects a person's true character。