Christine Smallwood’s fascinating piece, “Astrology in the Age of Uncertainty:
Astrology is currently experiencing widespread popular acceptability that has not been seen since the 1970s. The transition began with the introduction of the personal computer, was expedited by the Internet, and has now reached new levels of speed thanks to social media. According to a Pew Research Center poll from 2017, about a third of Americans believe in astrology.
Astrology, like psychoanalysis before it, has infiltrated our collective vernacular. At a party in the 1950s, you could have heard someone talk about the id, ego, or superego; now, it’s normal to hear someone explain herself using the sun, moon, and rising signs. It isn’t just that you are aware of it. It’s who’s saying it: folks who aren’t kooks or deniers of climate change, who don’t find a conflict between utilizing astrology and believing in science…
I ran a short Google search and discovered the following Pew report from October 2018:
The religion breakdown was the only thing that surprised me about this table.
I had the impression that mainline Protestants were the rational ones, but they believe in astrology at the same rate as the overall population.
But, hey, I guess they’re ordinary Americans, so they have average American ideas.
Only 3% of atheists believe in astrology, which is also unexpected.
This makes sense, yet it seemed reasonable to me that someone may not believe in God but believe in other supernatural things: in fact, I could see astrology as a type of replacement for a traditional religious system.
But it appears that is not the case.
Brian Wansink has been compared to an astrologer who can make astute observations about the world based on a combination of persuasiveness and qualitative understanding, and then attributes his success to tarot cards or tea leaves rather than a more practical ability to synthesize ideas and tell good stories.
Does Brian Wansink, on the other hand, believe in astrology?
What about Marc Hauser, Ed Wegman, Susan Fiske, and the rest of the bunch who call their detractors “second-string, replication police, methodological terrorists, Stasi, and so on?”
I doubt they believe in astrology because it symbolizes a rival belief system: it’s a business that, in some ways, competes with rah-rah Ted-talk science.
I wouldn’t be shocked if famous ESP researchers believe in astrology, but I get the impression that mainstream junk-science supporters in academia and the news media feel uncomfortable discussing ESP since its research methods are so similar to their own.
They don’t want to be associated with ESP researchers because it would devalue their own study, but they also don’t want to put them under the bus because they are fellow Ivy League academics, so the safest plan is to remain quiet about it.
The greater point, however, is not astrology believing in and of itself, but the mental state that allows individuals to believe in something so contrary to our scientific understanding of the world.
(OK, I apologize to the 29% of you who don’t agree with me on this.)
When I return to writing on statistical graphics, model verification, Bayesian computation, Jamaican beef patties, and other topics, you can rejoin the fold.)
It’s not that astrology couldn’t be correct a priori:
We can come up with credible hypotheses under which astrology is real and amazing, just as we can with embodied cognition, beauty and sex ratio, ovulation and voting, air rage, ages ending in 9, and all the other Psychological Science / PNAS classics.
It’s just that nothing has come up after years of rigorous research.
And the existing theories aren’t particularly convincing: they’re speculative world models that may be good if the purpose was to describe a real and enduring occurrence, but they’re less so without actual data.
Anyway, if 30% of Americans are willing to believe such nonsense, it’s no surprise that a significant number of influential American psychology professors will have the kind of attitude toward scientific theory and evidence that leads them to have strong beliefs in weak theories with no supporting evidence.
Indeed, not only support for specific weak theories, but support for the fundamental principle that pseudoscientific views should be treated with respect (although, oddly enough, maybe not for astrology itself).
P.S.In defense of the survey respondents (but not of the psychology professors who support ideas like the “critical positivity ratio,” which makes astrology appear positively sane in comparison), belief in astrology (or, for that matter, belief in heaven, gravity, or the square-cube law) is essentially free.
Why not believe these things, or not believe them?
Belief or denial in evolution, climate change, or unconscious bias, on the other hand, can have social or political consequences.
Some opinions are purely personal, while others have a direct impact on policy.
I have less patience for famous academic and media elites who aggressively support junk science by not just expressing their trust in speculative notions supported by no real data, but also attacking those who point out these emperors’ nudity. Furthermore, even a hypothetical tolerant, open-minded supporter of junk sciencethe type of person who might believe in critical positivity ratio but actively support the publication of criticisms of that workcan still cause some harm by contaminating scientific journals and the news media with bad science, and by promoting sloppy work that takes up space that could be used for more careful research.
You know how they say science corrects itself, but only because individuals are willing to correct themselves?
Gresham’s law is also true, but only when people are willing to distribute counterfeit notes or money they think is counterfeit while keeping their lips shut until they can get rid of their wads of worthless stock.
P.P.S.Just to be clear:I don’t think astrology is a waste of time, and it’s possible that Marc Hauser was onto something real, even while faking data (according to the US government, as mentioned on Wikipedia), and the critical positivity ratio, ovulation, voting, and all the rest…
Just because there isn’t enough evidence to support a theory doesn’t mean it’s untrue.
I’m not trying to disprove any of these assertions.
All of it should be published someplace, along with all of the criticism.
My issue with junk science proponents isn’t simply that they advocate science that I and others perceive to be rubbish; they can also be wrong!
However, they consistently avoid, deny, and oppose valid open criticism.
P.P.P.S.Remember that #notallpsychologists.
Of course, the problem of junk research isn’t limited to psychology in any way.
Professors of political science, economics, sociology, and history, to the extent that they believe in astrology, spoon bending, or whatever (that is, belief in “scientific paranormalism as describing some true thing about the natural world, not just a “anthropological recognition that paranormal beliefs can affect the world because people believe in it), this could also sabotage their research.
I suppose it’s not such a big problem if a physicist or chemist believes in these things.
I’m not attempting to shut down study into astrology, embodied cognition, ESP, beauty-and-sex-ratio, endless soup bowls, spoon bending, the Bible Code, air anger, ovulation and voting, subliminal smiley faces, or anything else.
Allow for the blooming of a thousand blooms!
Given that a sizable portion of the populace is willing to believe in scientific-sounding notions that aren’t backed by any good scientific theory or evidence, it should come as no surprise that many professional scientists hold this viewpoint.
The repercussions are especially evident in psychology, which is a vital field of study where theories can be hazy and where there is a long legacy of belief and action based on flimsy data.
That isn’t to say that psychologists are awful people; they’re merely working on difficult challenges in a field with a long history of failures.
This isn’t a critique; it’s just the way things are. Of course, there is a lot of excellent work being done in the field of psychology. You’ll have to work with what you’ve got.
In This Article...
How much can we put our faith in astrology?
Throughout my research, I used a tried-and-true strategy of asking a series of questions about attitudes and activity while omitting any reference of belief. The image that emerged is far more complicated than the basic division between belief and doubt suggests.
In one of my groups of predominantly male students aged 18 to 21, I discovered that 70% of them read a horoscope column once a month and valued its advise 51% of the time. Other questions revealed a wide range of responses: 98 percent of people knew their sun sign, 45 percent said it reflected their personalities, 25% felt it can make accurate forecasts, and 20% believe the stars have an impact on life on Earth. The higher percentages are comparable to prior study that revealed 73 percent of British adults believe in astrology, while the lower ones are comparable to Gallup polls.
Other questions about the pupils’ behavior and attitudes were also posed. Nearly half (45%) admitted to researching possible or actual partners’ sun signs in order to better manage their relationships, and 31% admitted to reading their astrological predictions for the coming year.
What became clear from all of my surveys is that when we ask questions about personal experience, meaning, and behavior (such as valuing an astrologer’s advice or learning about partners’ signs), positive responses are roughly twice as high, if not more, than when we ask for statements of objective fact (such as “I value an astrologer’s advice” or “I value an astrologer’s advice”) “Is astrology a reliable source of predictions?).
My samples were limited, and each one offered a snapshot of a certain group, making generalization impossible. However, they all suggest that when we ask a range of questions, we get a diversity of answers. How many people do you know that believe in astrology? It’s possible that it’ll be 22%. It’s possible that it’s 73 percent. What I refer to as the difference between the two figures is what I refer to as the “The zone of doubt and uncertainty between deep and shallow commitment is known as the belief gap.
So, what is it that makes people believe in astrology? The issue we have is establishing trustworthy research. If we can’t get to first base and figure out how many people believe in it, attempts to figure out why they find it significant a better word than belief will be fruitless.
Do you believe in astrology’s ability to provide explanations?
It’s a whole science that revolves on the positions of stars and planets. A large number of people believe in astrology. Many astrologers’ forecasts have come true. Astrology can aid with future planning.
What are the fees charged by astrologers?
“Astrologers charge according to their fame and experience. The lowest charge is Rs 12 per minute, with rates as high as Rs 400 per minute for those in great demand. The revenue of AstroSage, another prominent astrology website, has surged by 42 percent during the lockout, according to Prateek Pandey, co-founder.
Is astrology relevant in romantic relationships?
What is your zodiac sign? Does it make a difference? You could believe that scientists are above such inquiries, but you’d be mistaken. In 2007, a team from the University of Manchester published “Ten million marriages: A test of astrological “love signs.” They looked at 10 million weddings using UK census data and inferred astrological signs based on the couples’ birth dates.
According to United Academics, these same-birthday pairs are most likely merely errors on the paperwork. When the birthday oddity is removed, there is no effect at all. The following analysis is included in the study:
This study found that an astrological sign had no bearing on the likelihood of marrying and remaining married to someone of a different sign. For decades, popular astrologers have pushed the concept of ‘love signs,’ or the compatibility of partners with specific birthdate combinations. However, if the almost 20 million married people in England and Wales are any clue, lonely hearts who obsess over the zodiac are wasting their time.
One thing the study didn’t take into account was how horoscopes may affect a relationship. It might affect a woman’s relationships with non-Leos if she truly believed she was meant to be with a Leo. Reading horoscopes, however, appears to have minimal effect on a woman’s real conduct, according to a study published in Correlation in 2001. Only 15% of women indicated they would alter their behavior based on their horoscope. However, the survey discovered that many people take astrology quite seriously. According to the researchers,
The results of the survey, in general, confirm that astrology has a significant impact on women’s life. Seventy-two percent do not believe astrology is mere superstition, and over ninety percent say they research the sun signs of persons with whom they have ties. In love, 78 percent had read a book on their sun sign. Despite the fact that only 15% claimed they would change their behavior based on what they read in a horoscope, these findings suggest that astrology can impact women’s behavior in a variety of ways.
While the position of Venus has little to do with the success of your marriage, horoscopes in the back of women’s magazines may have more influence than anyone wants to admit.
What are the symptoms that someone is more narcissistic?
Narcissists also believe they are superior to others, and this is what narcissism at its best looks like. When you speak to them or try to converse with them, they will try to persuade you that they are correct and that what they know is the best. We are here to assist you if you want to be prepared before speaking with a narcissist. The following are the four zodiac signs that are most likely to be narcissists.
Is astrology accurate or not?
Astrology is a collection of belief systems that assert that there is a connection between astrological phenomena and events or personality traits in the human world. The scientific community has dismissed astrology as having no explanatory power for describing the universe. Scientific testing has discovered no evidence to back up the astrological traditions’ premises or alleged effects.
Is there a God in astrology?
I’ve been asked numerous times over the years to speak about the compatibility of astrology and religion by clients who are deeply religious. Despite the fact that some passionately religious people consider astrology to be heretical, I’ve noticed an extraordinary ideological connection between organized religions and the orderly world of astrology.
Astrology is completely compatible with a strict religious belief system. It’s a graceful jump to assume that a God created the universe, with noble ideals guiding even the planets and stars.
The study of the planets and stars precedes and has influenced religious belief and practice around the world, according to evidence from ancient texts, sculptures, and stained glass art. Symbols of astrological signs and planets can be found in our earliest ancient religious sites. Significant religious luminaries including Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha, and Mary Baker Eddy were born within astrological alignments that synchronistically confirmed their arrival.
Some devoted religious believers’ opposition can be traced back to a time when priests and religious authorities sought to interpret and mediate all religious experiences from their positions of authority. Our forefathers sought divine inspiration straight from the stars and considered themselves to be an intricate part of an active universe evolving before the development of male-dominated organized religion. Astrology as a technique and a belief system founded on an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens was open to anyone. Astrology does not necessitate the worship of a single deity or figurehead; rather, it assumes the existence of an infinite and purposeful intellect that pervades the heavens and the earth in a grand symphony of meaning.
Religion comes from the Latin term religio, which meaning “to connect together.” What could be more inextricably interwoven than celestial motions and human experiences and events?
The meanings of the 9th and 12th houses, as well as the archetypes of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, all honor the importance of religion and spirituality in astrology. The 9th and 12th houses represent areas of life where religious or spiritual guidance, experience, and/or ordainment may be sought. Jupiter can represent a powerful spiritual or religious figure, Saturn a harsh God image, and Neptune mystical experiences and religious rapture.
A trustworthy, unbiased astrologer can assist a client in strengthening their confidence. Through an examination of their chart, I’ve assisted several clients in reclaiming and activating their religious roots, leading them toward the power that comes from following a religious path. Religion is a cornerstone of psychological and mental well-being for some people.
Unlike many organized religions, astrological ideas and practices are free of sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression. Even the old astrological metaphors of masculine and feminine planets and energies have been redesigned as receptive and active energies that are not gendered in expression. Every human has a strong seat at the table of the universe, just as every planet and star has a position in the sky.
Astrology and organized faiths are both:
- Are you looking for a way to express yourself?
- Are not backed up by scientific evidence
- Thousands of years have passed
- Are based on legend and folklore.
- Have spawned works of art and poetry that are both inspired and stunning.
- Give people a sense of belonging and identity
- Assist folks who are going through a lot of pain and loss.
- Investigate the concepts of fate and free will.
- Have a history of group rituals?
- Keep track of important dates on your calendar.
In contrast to religion, astrology:
- There are no places of worship.
- There are no membership requirements or vows.
- There are no moral edicts.
- Has no claim to superiority based on merit
- Is there no human saint?
- There is no such thing as a hierarchy of worthiness.
- Does not indicate that there is an afterlife.
- There is no specific code of social conduct outlined.
- There is no formal consensus on the amount of training that must be completed.
- There are no official uniforms or costuming for practitioners.
- It does not necessitate worship.
These lists demonstrate how religion and astrology can have a fruitful relationship.
Religion is a Saturn word in astrological terms: it is ordered, spells out right and wrong, and is constructed on and in institutions and agreements. Astrology has a Uranian bent to it:
Why do so many people think astrology is true?
Human beings are always looking for narratives to help them connect their past, present, and future aspirations and expectations, and this is where astrology comes in.