The theme of this article, which was published by the Association for Scientific Psychology at the University, focuses on the phenomenon of the Barnum effect. In fact, the author, Serge Ciccotti, describes it as a tendency of people to accept a vague personality description as accurately applying to themselves without realizing that the same description could apply to anyone as well. It demonstrates how easily people can be fooled by positive personal descriptions. This trend is also referred to as the “Subjective Validation Effect” or “Personal Validation Effect”. This phenomenon was experimentally highlighted by the psychologist Forer (1949).
Ciccotti explains that Forer gave each of his students a personality test and copied the text of a personality analysis found under the “astrology” section of a magazine. He then gave each of his students the report and asked to score this assessment between 0 and 5, in order to know how well they thought the test result reflected their personality. The students did not know that everyone had the same report. The results revealed that the average of 4.2 showed very strong agreement. The author points out that it is important to note that personality analysis give subjects the illusion of a nuanced portrait that is actually based on a vague description of traits. The human mind then fills the description by projecting its own images and retaining only what suits it. In addition, human beings constantly seek to obtain information about themselves in order to build or complete their self-image.
How can this be explained ? The author explains that the character traits that benefit us are more easily accepted as a precise description of the personality than the disadvantageous traits.
However, the author explains that the danger with the Barnum effect is that there is a risk of finding any method of personality assessment relevant, of accepting risky or even false statements, if the subjects consider them sufficiently positive or flattering. A false description of personality may seem precise and specific, but it is vague and can be adapted to many people. This effect can provide a partial explanation for the widespread acceptance of some paranormal beliefs and practices, such as astrology or some types of personality tests.
Words I have learned : trend (tendance) – suit it (convenir) – widespread acceptance (acceptation généralisée) – fooled by (être trompé)
Bibliography
Ciccotti S. (2008). L’effet Barnum. Revue électronique de Psychologie Sociale, n°2, pp. 27-31