The Forer Effect

[bindeweede]

I know many here will be aware of it, but I came across this in "Don't Believe Everything You think".

"My favourite example of the Forer effect occurred when a scientist put an ad in a Paris newspaper offering free horoscopes. He sent the same horoscope to all 150 people who replied, and amazingly, 94% said they recognized themselves in the description. I wonder how they reacted when they found out their horoscope was drawn up for a French serial killer."


The book is written by Thomas Kida, published by Prometheus Books, and available through the UK Skeptics Book Store.

[Admin]

I was watching a bit of snooker this afternoon on the BBC. To get an insight into the personalities of the players they had a "graphologist" on there doing a reading from their handwriting. ::)

Yes, it's the same old thing that convinces people of psychic powers, astrology, etc. - The Forer Effect (http://skepdic.com/forer.html).

It was the usual bunk: he's confident and assertive sometimes but can be quiet and reserved too.... (this is the 'rainbow ruse' - assigning opposite characteristics to the same person so it can't be wrong!!).

You'd think that in this day and age we'd be more aware of this psychological trickery - after all, it's been in use for probably thousands of years.

[bindeweede]

I was watching a bit of snooker this afternoon on the BBC. To get an insight into the personalities of the players they had a "graphologist" on there doing a reading from their handwriting. ::)

Yes, it's the same old thing that convinces people of psychic powers, astrology, etc. - The Forer Effect (http://skepdic.com/forer.html).

It was the usual bunk: he's confident and assertive sometimes but can be quiet and reserved too.... (this is the 'rainbow ruse' - assigning opposite characteristics to the same person so it can't be wrong!!).

You'd think that in this day and age we'd be more aware of this psychological trickery - after all, it's been in use for probably thousands of years.

Well, I'm fairly new to all of this, but the info is easily accessible from loads of sources......

"...there might be issues of concern about your love-life/romance. Career questions are in your mind at the moment, and you have some worries about finances...."

Applies to just about everyone, doesn't it?

Also, I thought graphology had already been debunked as nonsense, but perhaps it is still being used.

[Zaira]

"Don't Believe Everything You think"

That's getting printed out and stuck on my fridge!! ;)

[Admin]

I'm always recommending this book (must contact Ian for commission!!): The Full Facts of Cold Reading (http://ianrowland.com/ItemsToBuy/ColdReading/ColdReadingMain1.html).

Astrology, palm reading, rumpology, psychic/mediums readings, pet psychics, baby mind-reading, etc. all work by using exactly the same methods.

This book explains beautifully and clearly how Cold Reading works and it even shows you how to do it!

No-one could read this book and not see psychics in a different light.

As soon as they open their mouths you recognise what's going on.

It's a 'must read' for skeptics I would say.

[bobdezon]

I tried to buy that book for the mother in law john, they dont stock it in my local waterstones. The lady behind the counter told me there was no trace even of its ISBN number. If you have that number please post it for me so I can publicly humiliate her. ;)

[bindeweede]

I tried to buy that book for the mother in law john, they dont stock it in my local waterstones. The lady behind the counter told me there was no trace even of its ISBN number. If you have that number please post it for me so I can publicly humiliate her. ;)

I have also tried to find it, but it seems the book is only available direct from the author's website - Ian Rowland . Also, the latest edition is about £28 +p&p. I've thought about it, but that is quite a lot of money. However, I've read that it is THE book on the subject.

[bindeweede]

"Don't Believe Everything You think"


That's getting printed out and stuck on my fridge!! ;)
The whole book is well worth a read. Chapters include

Weird Beliefs and Pseudoscientific thinking
The Role of Chance and Coincidence
Seeing things that aren't there
Seeking to Confirm
How we simplify
Faulty memories

and a few others.

[bindeweede]

I have also tried to find it, but it seems the book is only available direct from the author's website - Ian Rowland . Also, the latest edition is about £28 +p&p. I've thought about it, but that is quite a lot of money. However, I've read that it is THE book on the subject.

Well, I've sort of hummed and hahhed about buying it - but following JJ's recommendation, I'll be asking Satan for it as a non-birth-of Jesus-day prezzy.


Edit. I do of course mean "Santa".

[bobdezon]

Ill buy it from Ians site then, john do you personally know Ian? I would like to have a signed copy if I could.

[Admin]

Oh yes, I should have mentioned that it's a self-published book and only available via the link above.

I chatted with Ian a couple of times via email a while back (before UKS even started) but he probably doesn't remember me.

I'll drop him a line and see if he'd be prepared to send us a few signed copies or something. O0

[bobdezon]

I would appriciate that immensely. I have reviewed books before for Cannon Publishing, I can do him a review on BadPsychics if he so chooses. If its self published then I am sure he could use the extra publicity.

He should be aware though that if his book is crap, he shall feel my literary wrath ;)

[Dr B]

The Ian Rowland book is very good - but to be honest most of it is available in various forms in Psychology books as well.

Nonetheless - a good read O0. I think the best way to learn cold reading is to do it yourself on a practical level.

[bobdezon]

Oh I understand cold reading, this book is for the mother in law. She had a message from a psychic/medium and practically (actually) screamed at me when I told her it was infact her who forced a connection to her life, not the medium. She simply wouldnt have it, its just too personal I was told. I sat there like a father confronting a child with chocolate all around its mouth while she denied eating the chocolate biscuits.

Ive had to brush up on my cold reading techniques for BadPsychics, I cannot have it said I dont know what the hell Im talking about can I? ;)

Thats why I wanted the book for her.

[curious?]

I tried to buy that book for the mother in law john, they dont stock it in my local waterstones. The lady behind the counter told me there was no trace even of its ISBN number. If you have that number please post it for me so I can publicly humiliate her. ;)


As a Librarian I have to correct you. Its not ISBN number its just ISBN ;D

[wooo_oops]

It's not ISBN number it's just ISBN

Duh. I bet he says PIN number as well.;)

I wanted to get this book since Derren Brown recommended it. I wish I could say personally...a signed copy would be marvellous but I'd settle for one he hadn't touched.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

Oh I understand cold reading, this book is for the mother in law. She had a message from a psychic/medium and practically (actually) screamed at me when I told her it was infact her who forced a connection to her life, not the medium. She simply wouldnt have it, its just too personal I was told. I sat there like a father confronting a child with chocolate all around its mouth while she denied eating the chocolate biscuits.

Ive had to brush up on my cold reading techniques for BadPsychics, I cannot have it said I dont know what the hell Im talking about can I? ;)

Thats why I wanted the book for her.

It is an excellent book, I viewed it more as a resource compared to some of my other skeptical books.

It's a couple of years since I read it, so I hope history hasn;t clouded my judgement here....

This isn't really a criticism, but I don't think it's the type of book that someone without an interest in the subject would necessarily find interesting. I thought of it more like a manual than a good read - so it might not be the type of thing that would benefit the MIL. Having said that, it is written in plain and concise language, I just don't think it has the kind of narrative that a non-skeptic would necessarily find interesting.

Hope that sort of makes sense.

[Admin]

I'm just waiting to hear back from Ian so don't rush to buy just yet.

He may have reasons for not signing books (well on his site he says he doesn't sign them as they are at his distributors) so I can't promise that he will. But worth asking.

Yes, the book is not a 'read' like a novel - it's all broken down into logical sections which explains the various techniques of cold reading. The format is particularly well suited to the logical mind however!

It's a sort of cross between an instruction manual (you could actually pose as a psychic after reading this book) and a reference guide (which is great for use in analysing readings as you can quickly and easily find the relevant technique being used).

If you want to understand how psychics do what they do then this is the book. O0

[bobdezon]

Not being a librarian I was not aware it wasnt commonly referred to as an ISBN number, although I am aware that the "N" in ISBN is "number" so that would be a double redundancy. ;)

I also commonly refer to a PIN as a PIN number, but to be fair even the banks refer to it as that over the phone. O0

I would like a signed copy John, because I know Ill end up with this book after she has absorbed it, she used to be an accountant so she can be quite analytical and should be able to follow the gist of it. If this cannot be arranged Ill still get one though as I think its important she reads a concise description of the tricks involved. She doesnt realise that deception is actually a science. Or more correctly an art.

[bindeweede]

Farside,

You said,

so it might not be the type of thing that would benefit the MIL.

Sorry etc, but MIL causes me a blockage. Could you define, please. I'm sure it is terribly simple, but I can't work it out.

[brianp]

MIL = mother in law

[bindeweede]

MIL = mother in law

Right! Talk about slow.........:sad:

[seren]

I also commonly refer to a PIN as a PIN number

You could just claim you were in fact saying PI number (pronounced Pih-number). The "ih" and the "num" run together making it sound like you are saying PIN number, but really you're far too pedan...er...intelligent to do that. Other people just aren't listening proper.