The Barnum Effect in Psychology: Examples, Content, Application

The Barnum effect is a way of psychological manipulation (impact on a person) with the help of generalized phrases and characteristics. In 1830, the skilled manipulator Phineas Taylor Barnum worked in the circus, in honor of which this method of managing a man was named. Another name is the Forer effect, in honor of the famous psychologist Bertram Forer. He for a long time studied the effect of Barnum and conducted experiments.

A fine line

As you know, people are very fond of mysticism, magic and predictions. For weak people this is the only way to gain hope that everything will be fine. Predictions give them strength and confidence in the future. This is what charlatans play, deceiving their victims with various fortune-telling. Probably, we should not deny that there can be something mysterious and mysterious in the world, however, all the horoscopes that we see every day on the Internet or read in magazines, create, rather, the effect of Barnum than they really are. This applies to most of the tests that can be found in print publications and on various sites. Materials that are composed of experienced psychologists and doctors of science, in most cases are far from the truth.

How manipulation works

In the Barnum effect, there is nothing complicated or incomprehensible, in practice everything is extremely clear. At one time, Forer, working at the institute, conducted psychological experiments on students. He tested his charges (usual simple questions), and then each distributed an allegedly individual result, although in practice all students received the same characteristic. After that, he asked for an assessment (a maximum of 5 points), which would show how much testing was true. The students put on average 4 points, which means that they agreed with the description of their personalities. This experiment clearly demonstrates how the Barnum effect works in psychology. An example of this testing proves that Forer was able to convince students that he really made a separate result for everyone.

Text characteristics for students

The text of the characteristic was like this: "You need other people to love you. You always correctly assess your capabilities, and some of them do not use in full force. Despite the fact that you have certain weaknesses, you are able to muffle them and still achieve results. Although you look too confident and disciplined, in the shower you are very vulnerable and worried. Quite often they are inclined to doubt the correctness of the decision, but what is done is done. You are very proud that you take all decisions on your own and do not yield to external influences. " This text came up under the description of the personality of 80% of students, and they, of course, put a high rating.

What People Believe in

First of all we will notice: people believe only to the person who seems to them authoritative. That is, students trusted Forer and, accordingly, believed in the test results and the characteristic that he allegedly made. In addition, the teacher convinced the students that each description was compiled individually. This method always bribes people and makes them believe in the veracity of information. The effect of Barnum, examples of which occur in everyday life quite often, can be traced by reading a horoscope. More absurd seem to be the characteristics of the blood group and the color of the eyes, but despite this, people who agree with them and believe in them, a huge number.

It's one thing when a person sees a horoscope or a characteristic in a newspaper: he seems to believe the written, but partly doubts. In any case, it does not harm him. But another example: your friend tells you that he has studied the mystery of astrology and is now ready to compile a personal horoscope for you. If you are not a complete skeptic, you will agree, at least for the sake of curiosity, and having found in the text the standard phrases that were encountered in the materials of the Forer experiment, most likely, believe in its correctness. How else? After all, the horoscope was compiled by an authoritative person and for you. And here's another side of the medal: for a personal horoscope you need to pay money - there is something basically lies in the trickery.

Only positive

A very interesting factor affecting the Barnum effect is a positive statement. That is, phrases that sound in horoscopes and predictions, as a rule, are positive. In them it is easier to believe. The human brain is designed in such a way that it is not always ready to perceive self-criticism and not from everyone. If someone tells about any negative trait of character (which is really present in this individual), then, most likely, he will deny it. Another thing - positive characteristics, flattering to everyone who hears them.

Barnum Effect: Application

It would seem that this effect is used quite widely, but it is not so, or rather, not quite so. The Forer-Barnum effect is very popular among charlatans precisely because people know little about it. In what spheres of life can you meet him? This is astrology, characteristics by name, blood group, magical services, numerology, fortune telling on maps, runes, coffee grounds, etc. However, this does not mean that all magicians are charlatans, and all horoscopes are lies. In each such sphere, there are both masters of their business, and just those who have a profit on it.

What's wrong can happen

Of course, there is absolutely nothing dangerous in the horoscope that you read every day by e-mail. He gives you certain hopes, helps to dream, and it is very inspiring. But there are paid services in the fields of astrology and magic. Some fortunetellers take money, but only the phrases are spoken, and a personal horoscope can be compiled on the basis of the Barnum effect and at the same time cost a lot of money. The same applies to, for example, palmistry. A person can take a long look at the bizarre lines of your hand, say that you are talented, successful, but not all dreams have been realized, and with this you take from you anonymous sum of money. The effect of Barnum in psychology is explained by the fact that people are very well led by what they pay money for. Many argue thus: "If the information is worth the money, then it is certainly true."

Is it possible to protect yourself from deception?

Of course, you can, and there are a lot of ways. The first and most effective is to become a skeptic. Why hope for the prediction of strangers, if you can decide your own destiny yourself? Many skeptics are convinced that only a person is responsible for what happens to him or will happen in the near future. They do not seek excuses in the full moon or the weak sign of the zodiac, because they know for sure that if they were mistaken, it's only their fault and defect.

However, not all are born skeptics. There are a lot of romantics and dreamers in the world. People live and believe that miracles surround them. They think that knowing their future, they will be able to prevent mistakes. They dream to learn everything about themselves and their loved ones and prevent all bad events. Superstition adds paints and new sensations to people's lives. Well, it's their choice. But that the dreamer does not fall for the bait of charlatans, you need to know a few very important things.

How to avoid the trap

1. It is necessary to pay attention to the person who advises you or predicts to you: how he is dressed, what is the manner of his communication. As a rule, charlatans are very much spoken quickly. They are in a hurry and very impulsive.
2. Never disclose any information about yourself. The minimum is the name and date of birth, the rest of the astrologer should tell himself. If he does not name any specific events in your life, but walks around the bush, confining himself to hackneyed, stereotyped phrases, rest assured: you have reached a fraudster.
3. A good astrologer or magician must necessarily tell you first what you already know: your marital status, the number of children, the scope of work, the existing problems that bother you. If he communicates all information only to general phrases or yulit, then, most likely, he deceives you. For example, an astrologer asks: "Are you married?" You answer negatively, and he says: "I see that this is about to happen" (although you and the groom do not really have any), you know, this is hardly a foresight, rather - the effect of Barnum. After all, any single woman would like to have a family.
4. Try to apply the prediction to another person. If what you heard can easily be said to anyone else - you are just being fooled.
5. A good reception in the Barnum effect is such phrases as "You will succeed", "If you persist or make an effort, you will get what you want." All these phrases are generalized and are suitable for almost any person.

Good side of the medal

Despite the fact that the Barnum effect is most often used with unkind intent, it can be used for good purposes. This is a situation where you need to support a person in a difficult moment. The effect of Barnum, whose content lies in generalized phrases, can very well raise self-esteem to any person.

For example, your girlfriend is upset with problems at work: bosses scold her, she does not get to join the team. Try to support it, for example, you can say: "Come on, I'll look at your horoscope or I'll tell you, or I'll ask a fortune-teller friend." Next, make a description for your friend about the following text: "This week you are full of energy and energy, all the efforts that you will put into your work will give a good result. You are a very talented and intelligent person, but do not use all your potential. Opening yourself completely, you can realize the wildest dreams ... "and read her horoscope.

Such psychological manipulation will help a person to re-believe in themselves and reveal their abilities to the fullest. You can compare the effect of Barnum to the placebo effect. They work almost the same way: generalized phrases that suit any person - it's the same empty tablet that can do wonders. In any case, if this method is used as an aid, there is nothing wrong with that. As the great generals said: "Warned - means armed", so the Barnum effect does not work with people who know about it. It is difficult to hold a person who has enough knowledge about this method of manipulation.