Barnum Effect Refers to the

Barnum Effect refers to the phenomena of observation of personality that contains enough information to apply to almost anyone. Some examples offered in the text are personality analyses that apply principles like those of astrology or graphology (handwriting analysis) to help determine the nature of a person, what motivates them and what they might do in the future. In such results one will find just enough information to describe themselves or another but no observations that are specific enough to offer guidance or real insight.

(515-516) According to the text the term "Barnum effect" is named for the famous circus showman, P.T. Barnum, who was famously quoted as saying "there is a sucker born every minute." (516) by this statement Barnum meant to say that if enough is included that can draw in every observer the show will be a success and the individual will be willing to pay to see it.

"Findings" that can be associated with the Barnum Effect also tend to be over flattering, drawing the reader or viewer in, as well as encompassing of some "right" answers that build confidence but a lot of "wrong" content that then gets ignored by the now believer of the process. (516) The "barnum effect" is something of a source of concern for psychologists because in describing personality, the trap of being to vague as to really assist the individual in personal insight is possible, and must be avoided.

Yet, this does not change the fact that people are easily persuaded by such descriptions of self, making results of personality profiles useless but as compelling as say their "sun sign" in the daily paper. If all individuals were likely to see graphology and other forms of "general" description as non-insightful but entertaining then concern would be limited, yet many individuals seek out such "guidance" and really believe in it or at the very least allow it to influence their actions.

(516) if such "general" information is taken to seriously it could adversely effect the way an individual lives his or her life, and views him or herself, or even worse could give them a false, and/or skewed opinion of themselves that overrides the need to seriously analyze their real personality in such a way that it is useful for eliciting any needed change.

(516) Psychologist's real concern would be that any template offered for describing the personality, based upon a limited number of character models and/or traits could become bogged down by a tendency toward the "Barnum Effect." In other words a psychologist might him or herself create the effect in an individual if he or she offers vague, generalized advice to a client, without truly understanding the individual and what needs to motivate any needed change.

Any real and helpful observations of an individuals' personality must work off of real observational data and not rely on one general set of clues as to the nature of the person. In other words templates are not meant to be all encompassing observation tools, and a psychologist must utilize as much or even more than he or she knows to assist individuals in self-understanding and advocacy, in couple with real valid observational data.

(517) One danger in the application of psychology is to over emphasize self-advocacy and under play individual character traits that are negatively effecting the individual. When a psychologist councils an individual he or she may need to do a certain amount of flattering, to make sure that the difficult process of self-observation and reflection does not scare the individual away from using it.

In other words, sometimes internal and personality motivations are not what we want to hear about ourselves, particularly when they contradict "ideas" we have about ourselves as good decent people. The psychologist must find a balance and help the individual look at the good and bad of self, so the individual sees the whole picture and can affect change in behavior that does not serve him or her.

(517) According to the text three ways that an individual (and even a psychologist) can avoid the pitfalls of the "Barnum effect" would be to: 1. Avoid: "all purpose" general descriptions that might apply to anyone. 2.Be aware of the "confirmation bias" where someone is able to get enough information right that the listener ignores all that he or she might have gotten wrong. 3. Lastly resist flattery, as many.