Psychologists from Lund University reveal that astrology believers often score lower on IQ tests and higher in narcissism. Their findings, published in Personality and Individual Differences, highlight key personality traits driving these beliefs.
Despite lacking scientific backing, astrology's popularity surges amid stress and uncertainty, as prior research indicates. While seemingly harmless, such beliefs may foster uncritical thinking and correlate with pseudoscience and conspiracy theories.
In this study, researchers examined how personality traits predict unfounded beliefs like astrology.
They crafted a questionnaire assessing the Big Five traits (extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, narcissism), alongside an abbreviated Astrology Belief Inventory and a short IQ test.
Distributed to 264 English-speaking adults via Facebook, responses were analyzed using multiple linear regression.
Results showed astrology believers scored higher on narcissism measures and lower on IQ tests. Narcissism also tied to viewing astrology as "scientific," suggesting greater resistance to facts.
Conversely, higher IQ scores predicted lower belief in astrology.
Though the sample is modest, these insights suggest astrology may attract and amplify certain traits.
Rising popularity among millennials (ages 25-35) may reflect cultural emphasis on individuality, fostering egocentrism and narcissism.
Astrology's positive phrasing could further boost grandiose self-views, appealing to narcissists.
