Scientific appraisal Natal astrology

1 scientific appraisal

1.1 carlson s experiment
1.2 dean , kelly
1.3 mars effect

scientific appraisal

carlson s experiment

shawn carlson s double-blind chart matching tests, in 28 astrologers agreed match on 100 natal charts psychological profiles generated california psychological inventory (cpi) test, 1 of renowned tests of astrology. experimental protocol used in carlson s study agreed group of physicists , astrologers prior experiment. astrologers, nominated national council geocosmic research, acted astrological advisors, , helped ensure, , agreed, test fair. chose 26 of 28 astrologers tests, other 2 being interested astrologers volunteered afterwards. astrologers came europe , united states. astrologers helped draw central proposition of natal astrology tested. published in nature in 1985, study found predictions based on natal astrology no better chance, , testing refutes astrological hypothesis .

dean , kelly

the scientist , former astrologer, geoffrey dean , psychologist ivan kelly conducted large scale scientific test, involving more 1 hundred cognitive, behavioural, physical , other variables, found no support astrology. furthermore, meta-analysis conducted pooling 40 studies consisting of 700 astrologers , on 1,000 birth charts. ten of tests, had total of 300 participating, involved astrologers picking correct chart interpretation out of number of others not astrologically correct chart interpretation (usually 3 5 others). when date , other obvious clues removed no significant results found suggest there preferred chart. further test involved 45 confident astrologers, average of 10 years experience , 160 test subjects (out of original sample size of 1198 test subjects) favoured characteristics in eysenck personality questionnaire extremes. astrologers performed worse merely basing decisions off individuals age, , worse 45 control subjects did not use birth charts @ all.

mars effect


the initial mars effect finding, showing relative frequency of diurnal position of mars in birth charts (n = 570) of eminent athletes (red solid line) compared expected results [after michel gauquelin 1955]

in 1955, astrologer, , psychologist michel gauquelin stated although had failed find evidence support such indicators zodiacal signs , planetary aspects in astrology, had found positive correlations between diurnal positions of of planets , success in professions (such doctors, scientists, athletes, actors, writers, painters, etc.) astrology traditionally associates planets. best-known of gauquelin s findings based on positions of mars in natal charts of successful athletes , became known mars effect . study conducted 7 french scientists attempted replicate claim, found no statistical evidence. attributed effect selective bias on gauquelin s part, accusing him of attempting persuade them add or delete names study.

geoffrey dean has suggested effect may caused self-reporting of birth dates parents rather issue study gauquelin. suggestion small subset of parents may have had changed birth times consistent better astrological charts related profession. sample group taken time belief in astrology more common. gauquelin had failed find mars effect in more recent populations, nurse or doctor recorded birth information. number of births under astrologically undesirable conditions lower, indicating more evidence parents choose dates , times suit beliefs.

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