From horoscopes to trendy personality tests on social networks, many of us recognize ourselves in generic profiles. Yves-Alexandre Thalmann, psychologist and author of The other side of personal developmentdeciphers this phenomenon known as the “Barnum effect” and invites us to increase our critical thinking.
The Barnum effect: recognizing yourself in generalities
In 1948, psychologist Bertram Forer carried out a famous experiment. He gave his students what he presented as the result of a personality test. Everyone actually received the same text, made up of sentences gleaned from horoscopes. However, 87% of them considered this description “very accurate”.
This is what we call the Barnum effect: our propensity to recognize ourselves in descriptions that are vague and general enough to suit everyone. Even more, when the formulations are flattering, our support increases. Conversely, a critical and unappreciative profile arouses much less approval.
Why does it work so well?
According to Yves-Alexandre Thalmann, several cognitive biases reinforce this illusion. In addition to the Barnum effect, there is confirmation bias, which pushes us to retain what supports our beliefs and to discard the rest. Additionally, a self-fulfilling prophecy effect can lock us into boxes: “if a test tells me that I am like this, I will end up acting accordingly“, he explains. However, he adds, “I don’t really know myself and I’m constantly evolving“.
When the company gets involved
Far from being limited to horoscopes or fun tests on social networks, the Barnum effect is exploited in the professional world. Many tools like the Enneagram or Insights Discovery claim to understand the personality of employees to better position them. But according to our expert, “there is no science behind it and sometimes these are discriminatory practices. It’s window dressing that’s in the business of some coaches“. Certainly, certain tendencies (for example, useful extroversion in business) can give indications, but they must be taken with great caution.
How to develop critical thinking?
Faced with these seductive “diagnoses”, the author calls for turning to science rather than hazardous introspection. Understanding how the brain, memory or emotions work allows us to know ourselves better “like a statistical entity”, he explains. This is a more reliable approach than looking for a hypothetical “real me”. In short, it is less about differentiating ourselves and more about understanding what we share with others.
If we recognize ourselves in horoscopes and personality tests, it is less because they reveal who we are than because they exploit the biases of our brain. To avoid falling into the trap of the Barnum effect, the best weapon remains vigilance… and a good dose of scientific method.
FAQ – Personality tests and horoscopes: why we fall so easily into the trap
1. What exactly is the Barnum effect?
It’s our tendency to recognize ourselves in vague and flattering descriptions. They seem personalized, but apply to almost everyone. This effect is based on our need for meaning and validation. He explains why horoscopes and personality tests appeal to us so much.
2. Why do these tests seem so fair?
Our brain filters information to confirm what it already believes. This is confirmation bias. Furthermore, if a test says one is empathetic, one adopts this behavior, reinforcing the illusion. These mechanisms comfort us… but also confine us.
3. How to avoid falling into the trap?
Stay curious and critical. Before you believe a test, ask yourself if it is based on scientific data. Real psychological approaches are based on research, not seductive generalities. Understanding the biases of the brain already means learning to know yourself better.