• Weather Forecasting Assignment
• For more information please see the links under
today’s date on our class webpage
Astrology and Horoscopes
• Astrology is the study of
how the planets and
stars affect human
affairs.
• A horoscope consists of
a geocentric map of the
solar system at a given
moment in time based
on a person’s date, time,
and place of birth.
Astrology and Horoscopes
• The calculations involved in constructing a horoscope
are based on geocentric models of the solar system
(i.e., earth is at the center).
• The interpretation of horoscopes is based on oral and
written wisdom passed down across generations by
respected astrologers.
• Many of the modern horoscopes that we are familiar
with are highly simplified versions based on a
person’s zodiac sign (e.g., Aquarius, Leo, Capricorn).
How do these methods fare?
• How do astrological methods compare with those
discussed in this course?
• What would it take to establish the validity of an
astrological theory?
• Are these methods (or the evidence derived from
them) part of what is advertised?
Testing Astrology
• What would it take to test astrological principles?
Testing Astrology
• What would it take to test astrological principles?
– Different astrologers drawing upon the same
framework should make similar predictions.
– The person types based on the Zodiac should be
accurate (Aries: high extraversion; Gemini: high
extraversion, high agreeableness; Pisces: high
openness).
– Horoscope should be correct, within reason.
How accurate are horoscopes?
• Horoscope class exercise
True
False
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Tension creeps into the workday, but you
can turn it around by spending quality
time in the open air (which brings fresh
ideas your way that will make money
later in the year). Tonight, tell a loved one
what he or she wants to hear.
There are two ways to get energy
moving forward in your career now. No.
1: Forget about who did what to whom,
and start new. No. 2: Call around before
you make any costly decisions. You
make allies by asking for help.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
There are two ways to get energy
moving forward in your career now. No.
1: Forget about who did what to whom,
and start new. No. 2: Call around before
you make any costly decisions. You
make allies by asking for help.
Tension creeps into the workday, but you
can turn it around by spending quality
time in the open air (which brings fresh
ideas your way that will make money
later in the year). Tonight, tell a loved one
what he or she wants to hear.
Validity of Horoscope
Type of horoscope
Not Valid
True
False
Valid
15
10
14
11
40%
44%
These two “it felt valid” rates are
fairly similar
• For the purposes of discussion, we’ll focus today on
the personality and health information you provided
as part of your homework for today’s class.
• We’ll examine whether
– (a) certain characteristics (e.g., extraversion,
subjective well-being, physical health) vary as a
function of sign and
– (b) whether these characteristics vary in some of
the ways that have been hypothesized by certain
astrologers.
Just a reminder…
•
•
Aquarius - January 21 - February 19
Pisces - February 20- March 20
Aries - March 21 - April 20
Taurus - April 21 - May 21
Gemini - May 22 - June 21
Cancer - June 22 - July 22
Leo - July 23 -August 21
Virgo - August 22 - September 23
Libra - September 24 - October 23
Scorpio - October 24 - November 22
Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22
Capricorn - December 23 - January 20
The data are based on the personality ratings provided by 130 students who
have participated in this exercise over the past few years.
2
1
Extraversion
0
-1
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
2
1
Neuroticism
0
-1
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
2
1
0
Conscientiousness
-1
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
2
1
Openness
0
-1
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
2
1
0
Agreeableness
-1
-2
-3
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
1
0
Life Satisfaction
-1
-2
-3
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
4
Physical Health 1
2
0
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
3
2
1
Physical Health 2
0
-1
-2
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
Specific Predictions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aries: Extraverted
Taurus: Agreeable
Gemini: Kind of Open
Cancer: Agreeable, Open
Leo: Open, Disagreeable
Virgo: Open and Disagreeable (critical thinkers)
Libra: Introverted
Scorpio: Disagreeable
Sagittarius: Open and Agreeable
Capricorn: Conscientious
Aquarius: Open and Introverted
Pisces: Agreeable, not conscientious
•
from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/personality-characteristics-of-signs-of-zodiac.html
2
1
0
-2
-1
Extraversion
Aquarius Aries Cancer
CapricornGemini Leo
Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
Aries: Extraverted
Libra: Introverted
2
1
0
-1
-2
Conscientiousness
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
•Capricorn: Conscientious
2
1
0
-2
-1
Openness
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Gemini: Kind of Open
Leo: Open, Disagreeable
Virgo: Open and Disagreeable (critical thinkers)
Sagittarius: Open and Agreeable
Aquarius: Open and Introverted
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign
2
1
0
-1
-3
-2
Agreeableness
AquariusAries C ancC
erapric orn
Gemini Leo
Taurus: Agreeable
Cancer: Agreeable, Open
Scorpio: Disagreeable
Pisces: Agreeable, not conscientious
Libra Pis c es
Sagittarius
Sc orpioTaurusVirgo
Sign