CHAPTER 1: The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

The influence of astrology in general when it comes personality traits have been

commonly studied in the field of psychology. In today’s generation, astrology is one of the most

widespread and visible forms of psychic reading. (Kempton, 2020) The rise of an astrology app

called "Co-Star", and so- called spiritual products like crystals and herbs prove that exceptional

acceptance is seen in the belief system. In result to this, the psychic reading services grew 2%

between the year 2011 to the year 2016. It claims that “more than half of young adults in the U.S.

believe astrology is a science” according to the data from the National Science Foundation study

being cited from 2012.

It is evident that astrology guides and provides people’s perceptions into their own

characteristics. Acquaintance with star signs could constitute an important factor in perceptions

about personality traits (Eysenck & Nias, 1982). On the first one hand, some people use astrology

to create assumptions about future occurrences and people’s personalities which can lead to

prejudice or misjudgment that may affect one’s perception towards a person. In China, where

Western Astrology is prevalent, job posts often list the astrological signs an employer favors the

most. While sometimes they leave signs viewed as inferior. Particularly, the prejudice toward

Virgos are pronounced; some Chinese companies consider them to be spoiled and excessively

uptight. A survey found that 4.3 percent of college graduates looking for a job in China had

undergone some form of discrimination depending on their signs. (Blum, 2020) On the other

hand, some are just reading it for entertainment purposes only such as sharing memes and posts

with astrology as their context.

 Many astrological theories claim that there is a relationship between one’s astrological

sign to the personality of an individual (Saklofske, Ivan William Kelly, & McKerracher, 1982)

According to Jung (1961), Eeach of the astrological signs is believed to be associated

with a set of personalities and also to predetermine one's personality of people born under a

certain astrological sign. Specific traits regarding these signs assume that people born in any of

the twelve 12 astrological signs were inborn with the sign’s corresponding personality traits.

However, the researchers have encountered situations where the personality of an individual does

not match the personality of their corresponding astrological sign.

With that, the researchers want to determine if astrology is related to the personality with

peers of the Grade 11 Students of St. Bridget School. This research was conducted to determine

whether or not astrology has an influence on an individual's personality when they are with their

peers. In addition to that, the research may also help the readers to prevent the misguided beliefs

and information that may affect their daily lives and perception to other people.

The study took place in St. Bridget School, an exclusive all-girls’ school in Quezon City.

In which the primary target of this research is the Grade 11 Students of the academic school year

2020-2021, this research may also benefit the people around the students such as peers, the

generations Millennial and Generation Z, psychologists, and the academic field.

Background of the Study

Astrology is observable that it has always been a topic of discussion through social media

and even in casual conversations. The researchers have found interest in this topic since it is also
evident in their daily living since they were born in the time of Generation Z. Astrology is a

widely used topic that is well known and is something that catches the interest of people in

generations Millennial to Generation Z. With this, the researchers have also decided to show their

interest in astrology and also their curiosity of how related a person’s astrological sign is to their

given individual personalities.

Given the fact that it is widely used by today’s generation, you can it might be observed

that people often do such practices associated with astrology such as comparing and contrasting

their astrological sign to one another, researching about the given characteristics of their given

astrological signs, and making astrology their topic of discussion. Despite the fact that some

research papers have not yet fully addressed the comparison of a student’s astrological sign to

their personalities when they are with their peers, to contribute to this gap, the researchers aim to

study the relation of the students’ given astrological sun signs to their personality whenever they

are around their peers, having the Grade 11 students in St. Bridget School as their variable.

In their daily lives, people do not prefer not knowing what is going to happen while they

continue what they are doing with their career, love life, or in their social life. It is by nature that

people seek guidance in the most convenient way for them to find it, no matter what the reason

may be. To some, this is where astrology and horoscopes come in. Astrology and Horoscopes

define their personalities through celestial bodies on the date that we were born. Astrologers

believe that the positions of the celestial bodies on the day that we were born are related to us

people here on earth. They also believe that they can predict what happens next in their life.

(Patel, 2018). Hence the objective of Tthis research is will help in to determineing whether

astrology and horoscopes are actually related to us humans especially to our personalities.
Statement of the Problem

The study examines the relationship between astrology and personality with peers of the

Grade 11 Students in St. Bridget School, Quezon City. The study is to be conducted during the

academic year 2020-2021.

Specifically, it aims to answer the questions:

1. What is the personality of the corresponding astrological signs of the Grade 11

Students towards friendship?

2. What is the personality of the Grade 11 Students when they are with their peers?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the personality of the Grade 11 Students

when they are with their peers and their astrological sign?

Scope and Delimitations

This research was conducted to determine whether the astrological sign has a significant

relationship with the personalities of the Grade 11 Students when they are with their peers. The

research will focus on the astrological sign based on the birth (sun sign) of the respondents,

therefore the results will only cover how the respondents’ personality are affected by their

corresponding astrological sign. It will also focus on what is the personality of the Grade 11

Students when they are with their peers. This study will be conducted at St. Bridget School in

Quezon City during the academic year 2020-2021. The research will have 59 senior high school

students as their respondents that are divided into three strands, specifically ABM, HUMSS and

STEM. All the respondents were enrolled as grade 11 at this time of study. Due to the study

being performed in a specific school, a shift in location and group of respondents may change the
final results of the study.

Significance of the study

Students. The research will benefit students because the research aims to determine if there is a

relationship between an individual's personality towards their peers and to their astrological sign.

This is beneficial for the students because the findings might help them to understand more of

their personality and the personality of their peers.

Psychologists. The study discusses personality of an individual towards their peers, this may help

the psychological field to further widen their knowledge and understanding about personality.

Also, this research may help the field acquire the knowledge needed to provide new development

techniques or tactics regarding an individual's personality and their relationship with their peers.

Peers. Since the research focuses on determining if there is a relationship between the

corresponding astrological sign of an individual and their personality towards their peers, this

research is indeed applicable and beneficial to peers. The results of the study may help them to

communicate better and to understand their peers better. With that, this may also strengthen their

relationship with each other.

Millennials - Generation Z. The said generations will benefit from the said study because we

have observed that they are very interested in Astrology. Since our study focuses on the

relationship of Astrology and the personality of an individual towards their peers, this may catch

the attention of Millennials and Gen Z and could widen their knowledge about Astrology.

Academe. The result of this study may serve as a basis for further studies regarding Astrology

and personalities of adolescents. This research can also help researchers to gain knowledge about

the relationship of astrology and an individual's personality towards peers.

Definition of terms

The following terms are defined to help the readers understand the context of each term in this

research:

Astrology - Astrology claims to explain typical characteristics of people born at certain times of'

the year, and how people who are born at different times differ from each other ( MacGregor,

2011; Stirling, 2010; Riske, 2011)

Sun Sign - This Planet represents the self, one's personality and ego, the spirit and what it is that

makes the individual unique. (Kighal, 2018)

- The sun sign is determined through the day and month of birth (Angel, 2015) Peers

- A group of people of approximately the same age who have similar interests, background, or

social status. (Spadafora, Schiralli, and Al-Jbouri, 2019)

Personality - Personality refers to those characteristics of the person that account for consistent

patterns of feelings, thinking, and behaving (Pervin, Cervone & John, 2005)