Good day for Leos: Horoscope's influence on perception, cognitive performances, and creativity. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clobert, Magali; Van Cappellen, Patty; Bourdon, Marianne; Cohen, Adam B.
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 101(2016)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Horoscope -- Astrology -- Creativity -- Perception -- Cognition; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.06.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Do people treat horoscopes as mere entertainment, or does reading horoscopes have more substantial consequences? Building upon research on the expectancy effect as well as on literature highlighting the influence of astrology on individuals, we hypothesized that reading positive versus negative horoscopes would affect people's perceptions, emotions, cognitions, and creativity. Across three experiments, reading positive versus negative astrological forecasts increased positive interpretation of ambiguous events (Experiment 1, N = 195), cognitive performance (Experiment 2, N = 189), and creativity (Experiment 3, N = 193). Furthermore, positive (versus negative) horoscopes decreased negative emotions among people who believe in astrology and the effects of horoscopes on cognitive performances and creativity were stronger among people with a low internal locus of control. Opening newspapers and searching for daily horoscopes have more consequences than one may initially think. Highlights: Reading positive vs. negative horoscope increases positive interpretation of events. Reading positive vs. negative horoscope increases cognitive performance. Reading positive vs. negative horoscope increases creativity. The effect of horoscope is stronger for people with low internal locus of control.