Constellations: Why are constellations’ personalities and fortunes so accurate?

Introduction

Astrology, as an ancient science, has existed for thousands of years. Since the Babylonian era, people have tried to explain events on Earth and changes in personal destiny by observing the stars in the sky. Although modern science is skeptical of astrology, many people still feel that the personality and fortune of the zodiac are very accurate. Why do people feel this way? This article will explore why astrology is so attractive to people from multiple perspectives such as psychology, statistics, and cultural background.

1. Psychological factors

Barnum Effect

The Barnum Effect refers to the tendency of people to believe in descriptions that are vague, general, and applicable to most people. This effect is particularly evident in astrology. Zodiac personality descriptions are often broad and vague, covering many different situations and behavior patterns. For example, "Gemini people are smart and witty, good at communication, but sometimes they can be restless." Such a description is easy to resonate with people because it contains both positive and negative traits, and almost everyone can find their own shadow in it.

Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias refers to the tendency for people to look for, interpret, and remember information that is consistent with their existing beliefs, while ignoring or forgetting information that conflicts with their beliefs. When people read horoscopes, they are more likely to remember predictions that match their recent experiences and ignore those that are inaccurate. This selective memory makes horoscopes appear more accurate.

2. Statistical Factors

Law of Large Numbers
The law of large numbers states that as the number of samples increases, the sample mean will approach the population mean. Astrology relies on a large amount of historical data and observations, and some general laws derived through statistical analysis. Although individuals vary greatly, certain personality traits and behavior patterns do appear more prominent in people of the same zodiac sign under large samples.

Regression Effect
The regression effect refers to the tendency of extreme phenomena to tend toward the mean over time. In horoscope predictions, this means that when a person experiences extreme good or bad luck, the subsequent horoscope predictions tend to tend toward the middle level. Since people always have ups and downs in their lives, this prediction seems to be more accurate.

3. Cultural Background

Social Consensus and Tradition
As a cultural phenomenon, astrology has existed in many societies for thousands of years. People have been exposed to knowledge related to astrology since childhood, and this cultural influence has subtly influenced their cognition. Even without scientific basis, people are willing to believe in astrology because it is part of social consensus.

Psychological Comfort and Self-Identity
Astrology provides a way to explain personal experience and future development, and this explanation can often bring psychological comfort to people. When people face uncertainty and pressure, the horoscope can provide a sense of direction and hope, which makes people feel psychologically comforted. In addition, astrology helps people better understand and accept themselves and enhance their self-identity by describing individual traits and behavior patterns.

4. Conclusion

Although modern science is skeptical about astrology, there is a deep psychological, statistical and cultural background behind why the personality and fortune of the horoscope are so accurate. The Barnum effect and confirmation bias make people more likely to believe the description of the horoscope, while the law of large numbers and regression effect provide some rationality in statistics. Cultural background and psychological needs further enhance the appeal of astrology.

In short, the charm of astrology lies in its complex multi-layered structure, which can still provide people with psychological comfort and self-identity even in the context of scientific doubt. By understanding the reasons behind these, we can more clearly understand why astrology still has such a great influence in modern society.