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I chose to evaluate astrology signs and how people believe that have an effect on their futures.

Define Problem: Does astrology have an effect on our future outcomes.

Gather Information: The website states that people use astrology for help getting through tough times, giving people a sense of control, helps some people understand their identity, and helps provide some people stability.

Evaluate Evidence: Theodora Blanchfield is the author of the article on the website. She has no scientific background. She is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.  It's stated that it was medically reviewed by Sabrina Romanoff who is a licensed clinical psychologist who deals with individual and couples therapy and consulting. Romanoff has not studied within astrology.

Recognize Assumptions, Emotions, and Biases: Blanchfield states that it's "believed" that astrology can be used as a tool for comfort. Also, that a recent boom in interest because of the pandemic. She also goes on to say that you can get started by downloading astrology apps. A lot of apps are just created by regular people and not scientists. The website even goes on to say that there are no scientific or peer-reviewed studies that validate the article and that it is just a fun and harmless tool to engage with.

Synthesize Evidence, Identify Alternatives:
Alternative Solution #1: Astrology can help predict the outcome of your future, as stated by Blanchfield's article.
Alternative Solution #2: Astrology cannot predict the outcome of your future, as it has not been scientifically proven.

Select Best Alternatives: I believe that astrology has no effect on our futures, and that astrology is just a fun way to see what your signs may be and what it says about you. You can compare to see if it's close to what it was predicting.

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If you're into astrology, you don't just know your sun sign; you know your moon sign, your rising sign, and everything else in your astrological chart. You follow any astrology Instagram account you can find, and your phone's notifications are always lighting up with updates from your favorite astrology apps. There's no denying that astrology is currently having a moment in the cultural zeitgeist.

But what is it about the messages in the stars that is so appealing, and why now in particular? Verywell Mind combed the studies and talked to an astrologist who is also a psychologist to find out.

What Is Astrology?

Astrology is the study of how the positions of the stars and planets are believed to affect human lives. Babylonian astrology is believed to be the first organized system of astrology, beginning more than 2,000 years ago.

The Greeks solidified the signs that we know today around 280 BCE. There are also thought to be Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian influences.

These are current signs:

Aries: March 21-April 19

Taurus: April 20-May 20

Gemini: May 21-June 21

Cancer: June 22-July 22

Leo: July 23-August 22

Virgo: August 23-September 22

Libra: September 23-October 23

Scorpio: October 24-November 21

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21

Capricorn: December 22-January 19

Aquarius: January 20-February 18

Pisces: February 19-March 20

Why Are We Interested in Astrology?

An interest in astrology is, in some ways, a coping mechanism. Research has found a correlation between those experiencing acute crises (such as divorce or job loss) and a belief in astrology. It is believed that this is because astrology represents an immediate tool that can be turned to for comfort.

Astrology Helps You Get Through Tough Times

Similarly, this tracks with the recent astrology boom in the wake of tumultuous political times and the uncertainty of a global pandemic.

"I think that astrology is having a peak moment because so many of the traditional institutions have failed to provide a meaning map for people," says Jennifer Freed, PhD, a psychologist and astrologist. "Also, astrology, unlike those institutions, has been a place of welcoming for all people."

It Gives Us a Sense of Control

Another aspect is that astrology may appeal to those who perceive an external locus of control. Someone who believes in an external locus of control will credit outside forces for both the good and the bad-blaming those forces if something goes wrong and crediting luck for success.

It Acts as a Way to Understand Our Identity

Astrology is also seen as a way that one seeks validation for their self-concept -how they think about themselves.

Freed agrees, seeing it as a tool for people to use to "develop their unique gifts and use it for confirmation and encouragement."

Jennifer Freed, PhD

Additionally, we are more likely, as humans, to remember the the positive feedback that validates our self-conception, over negative feedback. For this reason, it's easy to accept the ambiguous and positive aspects of astrology.

The fact that it is based on individualized informationsuch as one's birth date and birth place also lends astrology another degree of credibility in some people's eyes.

It's Hard to Tolerate Ambiguity

Astrology can also really appeal to those who have an especially pronounced intolerance for ambiguity.

Humans have a profound desire to understand the world. If you can understand what's going on around you, you can make better decisions for yourself and your family. This is a survival tactic.

"As human beings throughout eons, we've always been in the quest to understand our existence and make meaning of our lives. Astrology is the oldest system of trying to understand existence and personalities and our personal destinies," says Freed.

In one study of Israeli citizens in high-stress areas during the Gulf War, the higher their stress levels were in the face of ambiguity, the more likely they were to engage in magical, or, superstitious thinking.

Where to Get Started

Freed views astrology meme accounts or newspaper horoscopes as entertainment. She recommends starting with astrology apps for people who want to begin to dip their toes into learning about astrology-particularly apps that ask for your time and place of birth, as she says those will provide more accurate information.

A Word From Verywell

Astrology is generally considered a pseudoscience,not science. There are no scientific and peer-reviewed studies that validate its premises and promises. With that said, it can still be a fun and harmless tool to engage with to learn more about yourself with the understanding that it is just one of many tools.

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The Psychology Behind Why We Care about Astrology

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If you're into astrology, you don't just know your sun sign; you know your moon sign, your rising sign, and everything else in your astrological chart. You follow any astrology Instagram account you can find, and your phone's notifications are always lighting up with updates from your favorite astrology apps.

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Definition:
Agenticity is when people believe that invisible agents with power and intention can control or haunt us. A lot of conspiracy theories have "Puppet Masters" that are pulling strings as we continue to believe them.

Connection:
The picture above shows information about Aliens existing. For years people have believed that there are aliens somewhere out there, who are waiting to come down to earth. Many people believe that one day they will take over earth or some how effect earth.

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Definition:
Humans have a tendency to see patterns everywhere. The neocortex is responsible for this process.

Connection:
Above is a picture of an onion, in the onion it looks like you can see a face. A lot of times humans believe they see faces in objects or food all the time. Such as faces in burnt toast and faces in trees.

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Reasons for Belief - Incomplete Information Combined with the Power of Suggestion

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Reasons for Belief - Incomplete Information Combined with the Power of Suggestion

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Definition:
Often times people will be told about something that is unbelievable. We wont believe what they are saying, until they start suggesting what we should be hearing and/or seeing. Once they give you this suggestion you can now see and/or hear what they were saying because of their suggestion.

Connection:
In this video you can listen to a Led Zeppelin song backwards and it sounds like a bunch of gibberish. Then once you see lyrics of what they are trying to get you to hear, you can kind of hear it. This is showing how the power of suggestion can alter what you hear and/or see.

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Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven backwards | TED

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Definition:
Suppression of Authority is when the government or someone of authority tries to cover up certain things to benefit the outcome they want.

Connection:
It's always been a big controversy as to whether or not the government is covering up what is really in Area 51. A lot of people believe that Area 51 has aliens or information regarding real alien sightings or objects. Many people have tried to enter into Area 51, however, it is extremely well guarded by the government.

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Definition:
Causation vs Correlation is when two different concepts exist at the same time, however, they are not necessarily tied together.

Connection:
This picture above shows two concepts, once being their sales skyrocketing and one showing more people have been shaving their heads. Although, they both skyrocketed together, that doesn't mean that shaving your head will make your sales go higher.

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Definition:
The Red Herring is when someone tries to throw you off from the truth by using irrelevant pieces of information to distract you.

Connection:
In this video above is a clip from The Simpsons. It is showing the red herring effect. The citizens of Springfield bring up a tax issue. The mayor then brings up another, irrelevant issue to get the citizens to forget about the tax issue.

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Simpsons Logical Fallacies:  Red Herring

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Definition:
Ancient Wisdom is referencing back to the ancient times, with their knowledge and beliefs. Some people like to think ancient wisdom practices still work, however, they have not used modern-day science so it isn't comparable.

Connection:
In the pictures above it is showing a human sacrifice. Human sacrifices were used as a ritual in order to appease a higher belief or get a gain out of something. I've also seen plenty of recent movies and television shows that still depict human sacrifices, and most of the times it is showing them trying to reach a higher being to show that they are worthy.

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Scooby-Doo and the gang using their critical thinking skills.

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The red flags, the beliefs' and using critical thinking!

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Definition:
Appeal to Authority is using someone in a position of power or spotlight to help endorse a product or message. Often times, these people have no authority or qualifications to do so.

Connection:
Often times companies will get someone in the spotlight to advertise their product to gain more customers. I've seen this a lot within the gaming community. G Fuel is one of those brands who take advantage of this red flag. They use popular gamer's to advertise their drinks, which then gains traction to their product and boosts their sales. I've seen many gamer's on the platform Twitch, that either have advertisements for the drink during their streams, are drinking it during their streams or have it visible in their background to show that they are using the product.