Horoscope Leo, Aries for life: why do people still believe in astrology

Horoscope for the Princess

Astrology as a system of understanding the world and our place in it originated several thousand years ago and was known in early Mesopotamia, ancient China, ancient Egypt, as well as in Greece and Rome. In the Renaissance, in the XV and XVI centuries, about a thousand years after the interruption due to the influence of Christianity, astrology again became widespread in the West. At one time it even taught in universities, however, after the world saw the works of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo, the scientific value of this doctrine recognized doubtful. The subsequent development of methods of rational thought ever crossed out from the list of astrology sciences.

How, then, horoscopes could establish themselves on the last pages of today's newspapers?

And why many modern people familiar with astronomy and the scientific picture of the world, continue to have recourse to astrological predictions?

It turns out that we owe this enterprising editor of British tabloid Sunday Express and the royal family.

August 21, 1930 a daughter of the future King George VI, Princess Margaret. After the stock market crash on Wall Street, what happened a year ago, it has become one of the most interesting events to the British press. Of course, the news about the birth of the princess got on the front pages of all the newspapers, but the royal family - is the royal family, so no exclusive details of the journalists could not tell.

As a weekly newspaper, sunday Express had to offer material about the newborn in an unusual perspective, and at the moment of illumination the chief editor John Gordon I came really brilliant idea - he decided to publish a horoscope that tells readers about the future of the royal person. First, he wanted to invite the editors of William Warner, also known as the Hare - clairvoyant, palmist and a real star of the then astrology, but he was busy. Instead, Warner Gordon recommended his assistant, Richard Harold Naylor. Thanks to his advice in the next issue of the Sunday Express published an article entitled "What the stars predict a new princess."

Astrologer He pledged Margaret life "full of turbulent events," and predicted that "something of great importance for the royal family and the nation, there will be about her seventh year." Coincidentally, in 1936, Uncle Edward Princess VIII abdicated, and Margaret's father became king. Seeing what interest was aroused among the public horoscope royal personages, Gordon decided to release a few more predictions. Some of them were successful, and so there was a weekly column, "What are predicting stars» ( 'What The Stars Foretell').

Today horoscopes can be found in many publications, ranging from Cosmopolitan and ending with "Russian newspapers». In pursuit of the interest of the reader, they sometimes take a variety of forms - and now the sign of the zodiac, you can find out what you fruit, summer resident, and even Pokemon. In the book "Astrology and popular religion in the modern West" (Astrology and Popular Religion in the Modern West) Reported that approximately 90 percent of adults of western culture know their zodiac sign. Of these, about 50 per cent agree with its characteristics: stubborn Aries, Gemini wind, and Scorpions temperamental.

Nevertheless, let's just make a reservation: no significant correlations between the characteristics of the zodiac sign and personality traits of those born under it, science could not be found until now.

In 1985, the journal Nature published a studyA double-blind test of astrologySpent by the American physicist Shawn Carlson. In one experiment, the scientist showed that astrologers are not in a position to compare the natal human card with his personal characteristics - their results are consistent with random selection. In another experiment, the ordinary people to choose from several horoscopes one that best He describes their personality traits and character - and there is also no statistically significant ties.

Moreover, science is not able to find any relationship between the zodiac compatibility and the number of pairs divorce, or between the sign of the zodiac and the choice of profession, nor between the influence of Mars and the propensity of people to Crime. Many years of study of two thousand volunteers, who were born in the same time (and therefore having the same sign of the zodiac), also foundAstrologers fail to predict proof they are wrongThat they do not have similar character traits. From this begs the obvious conclusion: no predictive power in astrology, alas, no.

Law and order

Today, according toThe initiative Russian opinion poll on October 17-18, 2015. VTsIOM believe in horoscope, 31 percent of Russians (among women - 41 per cent among 18-24-year-olds - 42 percent), almost every third inhabitant of our country. Despite the wide spread of the Internet, this figure actually has not changed over the past 15-20 years (33 percent in 2000), although the share of doubters increased from 56 to 62 percent. Abroad, the situation is similar: a survey among US residents showedAmericans' Belief in God, Miracles and Heaven DeclinesThat 29 percent of Americans believe in astrology. This is slightly less than in the UFO (36 percent), but more than in witches (26 percent).

Why inhabitants of modern cities continue to read horoscopes and to believe in them?

In the first place because they give our lives a sense of orderliness. The materialThe New Age of Astrology The Atlantic is the opinion of a specialist in the field of psychology Moniz Pasupati (Monisha Pasupathi): although she says Monisha, did not believe in astrology, she realizes that this doctrine "gives [people] a very clear explanation of the basis for the [The world]. "

Indeed, horoscopes help sort through the crazy events that occur in our lives. The guy does not call after a date, because it interferes with Mercury retrograde. I strongly react to criticism, but what to expect from a man who has Mars in Virgo. When Jupiter enters the tenth house, the chief will appreciate my efforts at work.

Everything that happens in life seem less scary and uncomfortable when he has a simple and logical explanation.

According to Chris French's (Chris French), Professor of Goldsmitskogo College London, an expert on the psychology of belief in the paranormal, regular reading horoscopes in newspapers helps modern people to find "a sense of control and a basis for understanding what is happening in life. "

In 2009, the survey revealed the company iVillageOne Third Of Women Horoscope Users Consult The Stars Before Making Major Financial Decisions, According To iVillage StudyThat 33 percent of readers astrology.com resource check your horoscope before the interview with a potential employer; 35 percent - before the start of a new relationship; 33 percent - before buying a lottery ticket. Thus, a considerable part of people trying to cope with the uncertainty with the help of astrology.

Furthermore, statistics show that people tend to turn to horoscopes in moments of stress. A small studyWhy people perceive horoscopes as being true: A reviewConducted in 1982 by Graham Tyson psychologist, found that people consult astrologers to response to difficult life situations related to change of position in society, or a break in relations. One and the same person is able in conditions of high stress to resort to sign as a means of adapting to the changes, while a low level of stress he will carry to astrology with suspicion. Margaret Hamilton, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, in his study also notedEffect of favorableness of astrologically derived personality descriptions on acceptance of astrologyI trust an astrological forecast, people tend to be more nervous and anxious.

"In our culture there is a very violent way education of children, and people from the beginning used to be in the system are used to being told what to do. Journey of life the average person - straight as an arrow, he is drawn back in school. I think that astrology operates the same practice. When adults find themselves at a dead end, they come to someone who tells them: do like this ", - says PhD in Psychology and Counseling Psychology Anna Silnitsky, founder of the community Re-Woman to Facebook.

How it works

Part of the reason lies in the vitality of astrology is that it uses a very general and vague language. Home commandment any predictor - do not go into details. Most horoscopes published in the media, are very imprecise formulation: "This week you will have some work to do "," the second half of the day will be pleasant, "" the pursuit of the pleasures of the lungs will not lead to anything good. " As practice shows, it is so vague descriptions of the people credited with high accuracy.

In 1948, psychologist Bertram Forer has put an interesting experiment. He spent among his students a special test to its results make personal portrait of each of them. A week later, the psychologist gave each participant a test instead of this individual characteristic blurry text taken from the horoscope in the newspaper. He suggested to evaluate it on a scale of precision, where 5 is "excellent." Among the characteristics were, for example, as follows:

"You need the sympathy and admiration of others, at the same time you are prone to self-criticism. While you have some flaws, in general you are able to compensate for them. You have considerable opportunities that are not yet implemented for the benefit of themselves. Despite the apparent discipline and self-control, deep down, you may be experiencing anxiety and uncertainty. From time to time you are in doubt about the decision made and worried whether you did the right thing. "

"Do you agree on some variety and change. You do not like all sorts of restrictions. In addition, you are proud of the independence of his thinking and do not believe the statements of others without sufficient justification. You find too unreasonable to unfold in front of others. Sometimes you see yourself friendly, welcoming and helpful, although at other times you are kept, wary and closed. Some of your aspirations are not very realistic. "

The average value for Forer subjects was 4.26 - quite impressive for a group of students. Later research was repeatedly reproduced, but the result is always hesitant about the same high level.

You can think of another experiment conducted byThe Mars effect Michel Gauquelin (Michel Gauquelin) in 1968. Scientist published in Ici-Paris magazine ad, offering all interested persons to send him your name, address, date and place of birth and get a personal horoscope. It responded to the offer of about 500 people. Each of them received a 10-page horoscope, self-addressed envelope and profile. Of the first 150 people who submitted Gauquelin completed questionnaire, 90 per cent agreed that the horoscope accurately reflects their character, and yet 80 percent said that in the description Gauquelin their learned friends and relatives. However Gauquelin 500 respondents received the same horoscope, drawn up by a computer program for Dr. Marcel Petoyta, a serial killer.

People who read horoscopes, partly predisposed to "adjust" his image under the description of the astrologer. No wonder Forer effect is also known as the Barnum effect - American showman, who is credited with the phrase: "We have something for everyone." Chris French explains this phenomenon as follows: "If you really believe in, then make yourself a more specific prediction of what it is. Most days the majority of people - a mixture of good and bad, and... if you say that now happen to something nice, any event of the day will look like a confirmation of the forecast. "

Customers astrologers, will likely ignore the improbable statements and agree with the rather general statements, simply because they present something meaningful to them personally.

Here come into force once two psychological mechanism - subjective validation and selective memory. Thanks to the first we find a connection and a sense of where they are not present, and the second allows us to forget the mistakes predictor.

"Once you have formed the belief that astrology is real in the game may start and the tendency to prove their point of view. It forces us to look for evidence of their beliefs and ignore contrary evidence. In general, today there are hundreds of cognitive distortions, and possibly other mechanisms also play a role, "- explains Associate Professor Faculty of Social Sciences School of Economics Joseph Makkines.

Benefit or harm

Partly horoscope help us organize their knowledge about themselves. "Astrology is not for everyone, but even among those who does not take it seriously, there are people who read the horoscope - and I am no exception. In an attempt to explain to myself why I do this, I came to the following conclusion. Horoscopes always contain a very rich description of the individual and personal qualities, and if the astrologer has the experience and the cultural level, it can be very challenging and interesting. Choosing the part of these descriptions, we can try to relate to them yourself and your personality. Horoscopes give the language in which I can learn, I take it and embed into your narrative about itself, "- says Anna Silnitsky.

In addition, the horoscope can deliver a psychological comfort. It is important to note that people are more inclined to believe in the favorable predictions and descriptions.

Many studies have foundPersonal validation: Some empirical and ethical considerations evidence that positive or desirable from the standpoint of society characteristics often perceived as truthful. Margaret Hamilton also found that people tend to believe more in order horoscopes, which describe their good side. By the way, the media are actively using this weakness of his readers. About 70 percent of the information in newspaper horoscopes is positiveWhy are we hooked on horoscopes? character, which is considerably more than in other sections.

However, with the approval of the safety horoscopes agree not all. Primarily because astrology is positioning itself as a science, despite the fact that it is not. A survey conductedAs Galileo humans denied sociologists from the Institute of Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge of the HSE showed that the science of astrology believe 68 percent of Russians. For this indicator, Russia was on the 29th place in the world. In the US, the percentage of people who believe in the scientific basis of astrology isScience and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding 42, and in Romania - 62.

In some cases, the belief in horoscopes can lead to real negative consequences. For example, a service to find work "Zarplata.ru" foundHow many Russians do not get a job because of the wrong star signThat one in six Russians at least once asked during the interview about their zodiac sign, and three per cent of respondents did not get the position because of the "wrong" sign. In addition, the astrological predictions can influence the behavior ofThe effect of horoscopes on women's relationships and successesGood day for Leos: Horoscope's influence on perception, cognitive performances, and creativity in the performance of tasks - and it does not necessarily lead to positive consequences.

Richard Dawkins, British ethologist and evolutionary biologist, in 1995 in the publication The Independent spoke about astrology rather sharply: "It pre-Copernican amateur use discredits and demeans astronomy, Beethoven - the use of his works in the commercial commercial. It also offends the psychology as a science and the diversity of the human person. " In a similar vein, sayingAstrology and pseudoscience astrology Russian theoretical physicist and winner Vitaly Ginzburg, a Nobel Prize in the journal "Science and Life", "So, astrology - this is a typical pseudoscience and advice of astrologers - it's just nonsense, nonsense. Why should print these forecasts and to mislead people? However, faced with this view: of course, astrological predictions - this is nonsense, but who would believe them, read them - it's just innocent fun. I do not agree with this opinion. "

Nevertheless, we must not forget about the simple patterns: sometimes people make decisions based on logical and rational analysis of the facts, and sometimes - not. "The views and opinions of the majority of people are not always based on accurate empirical evidence. There are many reasons why you believe what you believe, and in some cases you do it simply because it gives a pleasant sensation, "- said Chris French.

Someone astrology brings confidence, somebody she flatters, and somebody helps to survive the difficult moments in life.

Most importantly, it should be remembered that the astrological forecast is not really predict the future. In anticipation of the implementation of predictions man himself begins to act and interpret the reactions of others so that eventually triggers its implementation (Rosenthal effect). And if you think that today you have a good day, because the stars are so agreed, that it is not in them. And that's good - in fact have free will, and not depend on the Moon in Capricorn still enjoyable.