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Connecting Social Psychology & Astrology Thread: how cognitive biases may be negatively impacting your practices 
First, I do want to make it clear that this thread isn’t being made to make anyone feel guilty for having cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are primarily subconscious/unintentional tendencies. This thread is here for self-reflection because anyone can benefit from it in some way
This also isn’t just going to be a thread about people who partake in spirituality and astrology either, I’m going to discuss biases that “nonbelievers” subject themselves to as well (Each bias can have examples for both sides)
Note: I will include links for sources for the screenshots I use at the end of the thread in case you want to learn more about specific biases! The screenshots serve to give more in-depth explanation as well as more examples of what it looks like (as well as just to credit ofc)
1. Self Fulfilling Prophecy (1/4)
I see this one most commonly throughout my time in the astro community. Self Fulfilling Prophecy is the tendency to have their predictions come true unconsciously and/or unintentionally due to the expectations they create
I see this one most commonly throughout my time in the astro community. Self Fulfilling Prophecy is the tendency to have their predictions come true unconsciously and/or unintentionally due to the expectations they create
1. Self Fulfilling (2/4)
For example, I see Self Fulfilling Prophecy quite frequently when retrograde seasons hit. A lot of people assume they’re going to be thrown extreme difficulties their way because of the Rx — to the point that it inevitably DOES cause it to occur
For example, I see Self Fulfilling Prophecy quite frequently when retrograde seasons hit. A lot of people assume they’re going to be thrown extreme difficulties their way because of the Rx — to the point that it inevitably DOES cause it to occur
1. Self Fulfilling (3/4)
Looking at the current Venus Rx, a lot of people are fearing for the stability of their relationships. They may be in constant worry for arguments to arise. They may be so on edge that it causes these arguments to happen due to tension they’re creating
Looking at the current Venus Rx, a lot of people are fearing for the stability of their relationships. They may be in constant worry for arguments to arise. They may be so on edge that it causes these arguments to happen due to tension they’re creating
1. Self Fulfilling (4/4)
Nonbelievers on the other hand may use this self fulfillment by seeing one archetype of their sign that they don’t relate to and immediately writing off that astrology has to be fake — w/o looking into why they may not relate (also confirmation bias)
Nonbelievers on the other hand may use this self fulfillment by seeing one archetype of their sign that they don’t relate to and immediately writing off that astrology has to be fake — w/o looking into why they may not relate (also confirmation bias)
2. Confirmation Bias (1/4)
Confirmation Bias is the tendency to only look at information that directly confirms your preconceived opinions or beliefs. This can be tied to the Self Fulfillment Prophecy example with the Venus Retrograde, too.
Confirmation Bias is the tendency to only look at information that directly confirms your preconceived opinions or beliefs. This can be tied to the Self Fulfillment Prophecy example with the Venus Retrograde, too.
2. Confirmation Bias (2/4)
With Self Fulfilling Bias creating predictions to unconsciously happen, this can reaffirm the belief of the Venus Rx causing it (Confirmation Bias) whereas it was actually your unconscious actions creating the predicament, independent of the Rx.
With Self Fulfilling Bias creating predictions to unconsciously happen, this can reaffirm the belief of the Venus Rx causing it (Confirmation Bias) whereas it was actually your unconscious actions creating the predicament, independent of the Rx.
2. Confirmation Bias (3/4)
Another way I’ve seen this play out is by assuming how someone is going to act based on placements. It’s so engrained that they’re going to be like x,y,z that it’s what you look for so that you can say “see! i told you!”
Another way I’ve seen this play out is by assuming how someone is going to act based on placements. It’s so engrained that they’re going to be like x,y,z that it’s what you look for so that you can say “see! i told you!”
2. Cognitive Bias (4/4)
On the flip side, people who don’t “believe” in astrology typically will have this cognitive bias and only listen to the opinions of scientists/people in general who hold the same belief about it. They’ll refuse to accept that it may just be true
On the flip side, people who don’t “believe” in astrology typically will have this cognitive bias and only listen to the opinions of scientists/people in general who hold the same belief about it. They’ll refuse to accept that it may just be true
3. Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
This mouthful of a phenomenon relates to when we learn about a certain topic (word, number, or name) and then all of a sudden, we see it everywhere or often. This can relate a lot to when we repeatedly see the same numbers (angel numbers for example)
This mouthful of a phenomenon relates to when we learn about a certain topic (word, number, or name) and then all of a sudden, we see it everywhere or often. This can relate a lot to when we repeatedly see the same numbers (angel numbers for example)
4. Hindsight Bias (1/3)
Hindsight Bias happens when we overestimate our ability to guess the outcome of a situation after it’s already happened. “Oh I could’ve told you that was going to happen!” is an example
Hindsight Bias happens when we overestimate our ability to guess the outcome of a situation after it’s already happened. “Oh I could’ve told you that was going to happen!” is an example
4. Hindsight Bias (2/3)
Although I definitely think that guessing placements is an art that people 100% have - I’m more talking about the after, when the results have already been talked about. “Oh I could’ve told you they have a Capricorn Mercury in the 3rd, it’s so obvious!”
Although I definitely think that guessing placements is an art that people 100% have - I’m more talking about the after, when the results have already been talked about. “Oh I could’ve told you they have a Capricorn Mercury in the 3rd, it’s so obvious!”
4. Hindsight Bias (3/3)
An example for a nonbeliever is pretty straight forward and probably the most common I see. They could look at people guessing the wrong placements and go “Well I could’ve told you they would’ve been wrong, astrology isn’t even real!”
An example for a nonbeliever is pretty straight forward and probably the most common I see. They could look at people guessing the wrong placements and go “Well I could’ve told you they would’ve been wrong, astrology isn’t even real!”
5. Sample Size Neglect (1/4)
Also known as “Law of Small Numbers” refers to a fallacy that refers to a person’s tendency to put too much weight on small samples to form their conclusions
Also known as “Law of Small Numbers” refers to a fallacy that refers to a person’s tendency to put too much weight on small samples to form their conclusions
5. Sample Size Neglect (2/4)
This can often be seen when individuals base their opinions for placements only on their personal experiences. The matter of the fact is, your personal experiences are VERY minimal compared to the entire population of that sign
This can often be seen when individuals base their opinions for placements only on their personal experiences. The matter of the fact is, your personal experiences are VERY minimal compared to the entire population of that sign
5. Sample Size Neglect (3/4)
Next time you want to write off ever dating or interacting with someone with a specific placement, are you just subjecting yourself to this cognitive bias? Probably. Remember, there’s a whole chart — don’t let it hinder possible future relationships!
Next time you want to write off ever dating or interacting with someone with a specific placement, are you just subjecting yourself to this cognitive bias? Probably. Remember, there’s a whole chart — don’t let it hinder possible future relationships!
5. Sample Size Neglect (4/4)
This can be seen in nonbelievers when they look at a couple of people who don’t relate to their sign and then say things like “If astrology is real why don’t me and my mom relate to our signs?” What about the millions of people who do?
This can be seen in nonbelievers when they look at a couple of people who don’t relate to their sign and then say things like “If astrology is real why don’t me and my mom relate to our signs?” What about the millions of people who do?
6. Barnum Effect (1/3)
If you’ve been into astrology or spiritual practice long enough, I’m sure you’ve ran into the argument of the Barnum Effect. This is when personality descriptions are so vague that they could describe anyone (pop-culture horoscopes for example)
If you’ve been into astrology or spiritual practice long enough, I’m sure you’ve ran into the argument of the Barnum Effect. This is when personality descriptions are so vague that they could describe anyone (pop-culture horoscopes for example)
6. Barnum Effect (2/3)
Magazine horoscopes typically use this effect to meet a wider audience. There are scammers within this community who also play a role, but astrology is so personalized and complex once you truly learn. Genuine astrologers aren’t the ones I’m talking about
Magazine horoscopes typically use this effect to meet a wider audience. There are scammers within this community who also play a role, but astrology is so personalized and complex once you truly learn. Genuine astrologers aren’t the ones I’m talking about
6. Barnum Effect (3/3)
Nonbelievers like to use this excuse also when astrologers are talking about sign archetypes which ARE generalized. It’s your birth chart and how each placement interacts together which separates the generalization to personalization
Nonbelievers like to use this excuse also when astrologers are talking about sign archetypes which ARE generalized. It’s your birth chart and how each placement interacts together which separates the generalization to personalization
7. Implicit Stereotyping (1/4)
We’ve all heard of stereotyping in some context or another — but implicit refers to our unconscious tendencies to discriminate against others or simply to just stereotype someone, not even in just a negative sense (but typically)
We’ve all heard of stereotyping in some context or another — but implicit refers to our unconscious tendencies to discriminate against others or simply to just stereotype someone, not even in just a negative sense (but typically)
7. Implicit Stereotyping (2/4)
Stereotyping often happens when we boil people down simply to their placements — and only that. Assuming a certain person is going to act a certain way because of a placement would be indicative of stereotyping. External factors play a role, too!
Stereotyping often happens when we boil people down simply to their placements — and only that. Assuming a certain person is going to act a certain way because of a placement would be indicative of stereotyping. External factors play a role, too!
7. Implicit Stereotyping (3/4)
This is why I always tell people not to find out new dates charts until after they really get to know them. Knowing the chart beforehand can negatively impact how you view them without your knowledge! (Also confirmation bias)
This is why I always tell people not to find out new dates charts until after they really get to know them. Knowing the chart beforehand can negatively impact how you view them without your knowledge! (Also confirmation bias)
7. Implicit Stereotyping (4/4)
Nonbelievers like to stereotype astrologers or just those that practice astrology as “uneducated” or “ignorant” without realizing just how much knowledge goes into astrology. It takes years & YEARS of studying and you still wouldn’t know everything
Nonbelievers like to stereotype astrologers or just those that practice astrology as “uneducated” or “ignorant” without realizing just how much knowledge goes into astrology. It takes years & YEARS of studying and you still wouldn’t know everything
Sources (from pictures)
1. positivepsychologyprogram.com/self-fulfillin…
2. verywellmind.com/what-is-a-conf…
3. damninteresting.com/the-baader-mei…
4. verywellmind.com/what-is-a-hind…
5. psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychol…
6. britannica.com/science/Barnum…
7. simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
Extra info: verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cogn…
1. positivepsychologyprogram.com/self-fulfillin…
2. verywellmind.com/what-is-a-conf…
3. damninteresting.com/the-baader-mei…
4. verywellmind.com/what-is-a-hind…
5. psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychol…
6. britannica.com/science/Barnum…
7. simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
Extra info: verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cogn…
