Barnum effect

nationality

American

occupation / innovator as

psychologist

is the tendency to give high accuracy ratings to descriptions about oneself that are vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people.

Forer effect or Barnum effect: The observation that individuals will give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored specifically for them, but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people. This effect can provide a partial explanation for the widespread acceptance of some beliefs and practices, such as astrology, fortune telling, graphology, and some types of personality tests.

Bertram R. ForerThinkers

Bertram R. Forer