Introversion-extraversion: astrology versus psychology

Abstract

The present study replicated the study by Mayo, White and Eysenck (1978; Journal of Social Psychology, 105, 229–236) that confirmed the astrological proposition that people born with the sun in a positive sign (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius) are extraverted and those with the sun in a negative sign (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces) are introverted. This result was indeed found, but only with subjects who had astrological knowledge. As an explanation a process of self-attribution is suggested. Furthermore, it proved that this self-attribution effect is strengthened when subjects receive a cue that the study pertains to astrology. Finally it proved that subjects with the sun in a positive sign are especially susceptible to such a cue. Though the validity of astrology itself could not be demonstrated, it is concluded that astrology may have a profound influence on people's self-concept, due to psychological processes like self-attribution and selective self-observation.