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Belief in Astrology as a Strategy For Self-Verification and
Coping With Negative Life-Events

Belief in Astrology as a Strategy For Self-Verification and Coping With Negative Life-Events

JournalEuropean Psychologist
PublisherHogrefe Publishing
ISSN1016-9040 (Print)
1878-531X (Online)
ISSN-L1016-9040
CollectionPsyJOURNALS and PsycARTICLES®
IssueVolume 3, Number 3 / 1998
CategoryOriginal Articles and Reviews
Pages202-208
DOI10.1027/1016-9040.3.3.202
Authors
Outi Lillqvist1, Marjaana Lindeman1

1Department of Psychology Finland

Abstract

This study investigated the role of astrology in self-concept verification and coping with negative life-events. Forty students in elementary courses of astrology, psychology, and German language rated their certainty about 20 self-describing attributes and three assumptions related to the self. The subjects were also asked to mark whether and how many times they had experienced particular crises and traumatic events. Participation in an astrology course, but not in psychology or German courses, verified the participant's self-concept by increasing certainty of the self-descriptive attributes and the assumptions of self-control and perceived luck. In addition, interest in astrology was positively correlated with the number of personal crises, but not with the number of past traumatic events. The motivational mechanisms underlying astrological beliefs and the enormous popularity of astrology are discussed.

Keywords
Astrology, self-verification, self-concept, stress

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  1. Mathijsen, François P. (2011) Adolescents and spiritualism: is this a good way to cope with fear? A qualitative approach. Mental Health Religion & Culture
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  2. Aarnio, Kia (2004) Magical food and health beliefs: a portrait of believers and functions of the beliefs. Appetite 43(1)
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  3. Sugarman, Hannah (2011) Astrology Beliefs among Undergraduate Students. Astronomy Education Review 10(1)
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  4. CHICO, ELISEO (2006) BELIEF IN ASTROLOGY INVENTORY: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION1,2. Psychological Reports 99(3)
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  5. Viladrich, Anahí (2007) From “Shrinks” to “Urban Shamans”: Argentine Immigrants’ Therapeutic Eclecticism in New York City. Culture Medicine and Psychiatry 31(3)
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  6. CHICO, ELISEO (2006) BELIEF IN ASTROLOGY INVENTORY: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION. Psychological Reports 99(7)
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  7. Sjoberg, Lennart (2002) Risk Perception and New Age Beliefs. Risk Analysis 22(4)
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