The Forer Effect

Posted: September 4th, 2009 under Psychology, Skepticism, Uncategorized.

You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others’ statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.

How’d I do? Does this describe you? It describes me too. Check out the Forer Effect:

http://www.skepdic.com/forer.html



2 Comments »

  1. That skepdic website is pretty cool

    Comment by Sagar Karandikar — September 5, 2009 @ 4:39 pm

  2. This is also known as a Barnum statement, and this statement in particular makes heavy use of a technique known as the “Rainbow Ruse.”

    Comment by Mike — March 28, 2010 @ 7:51 pm

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