Lecture 21

• 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 There are two ways to get energy
you can turn it around by spending moving forward in your career now. No.
quality time in the open air (which brings 1: Forget about who did what to whom,
fresh ideas your way that will make and start new. No. 2: Call around before
money later in the year). Tonight, tell a you make any costly decisions. You
loved one what he or she wants to hear. make allies by asking for help.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

There are two ways to get energy Tension creeps into the workday, but
moving forward in your career now. No. you can turn it around by spending
1: Forget about who did what to whom, quality time in the open air (which brings
and start new. No. 2: Call around before fresh ideas your way that will make
you make any costly decisions. You money later in the year). Tonight, tell a
make allies by asking for help. loved one what he or she wants to hear.
Validity of Horoscope
Not Valid Valid
15 10
True 40%
Type of horoscope
14 11
False 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 Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
2
1
Neuroticism
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
2
1
Conscientiousness
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
2
1
Openness
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
2
1
Agreeableness
0
-1
-2
-3
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
1
Life Satisfaction
0
-1
-2
-3
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
4
Physical Health 1
2
0
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
3
2
Physical Health 2
1
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
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
Extraversion
0
-1
-2
Aquarius Aries Cancer

CapricornGemini Leo Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
Aries: Extraverted
Libra: Introverted
2
1
Conscientiousness
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Sign
•Capricorn: Conscientious
2
1
Openness
0
-1
-2
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Gemini: Kind of Open Sign

Leo: Open, Disagreeable
Virgo: Open and Disagreeable (critical thinkers)
Sagittarius: Open and Agreeable
Aquarius: Open and Introverted
2
1
Agreeableness
0
-1
-2
-3
Capricorn
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo
Taurus: Agreeable Sign

Cancer: Agreeable, Open
Scorpio: Disagreeable
Pisces: Agreeable, not conscientious

Lecture 21

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• Weather Forecasting Assignment

• For more information please see the links under

• Astrology is the study of

• The calculations involved in constructing a horoscope

• How do astrological methods compare with those

• What would it take to establish the validity of an

• Are these methods (or the evidence derived from

• What would it take to test astrological principles?

• What would it take to test astrological principles?

– Different astrologers drawing upon the same

• Horoscope class exercise

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

Not Valid Valid

These two “it felt valid” rates are

• Aquarius - January 21 - February 19

Aquarius Aries Cancer

Gemini: Kind of Open Sign

Taurus: Agreeable Sign

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