Barnum Effect

The Barnum Effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals believe vague and general statements about personality or experiences are highly accurate for them personally. This often occurs in contexts like horoscopes or personality tests, where descriptions could apply to many people. For instance, a statement like "You have a great need for others to like and admire you" can resonate with almost anyone, leading them to feel it's uniquely true for them. Essentially, the Barnum Effect highlights our tendency to interpret generalized information as particularly relevant to ourselves.