Self-Concept in Terms of Astrological Sun-Sign Traits

Abstract

In this study 308 women and 114 men (mean age was 25.6 yr.) indicated how well 96 personality traits applied to them. The traits were chosen from astrological literature to represent astrological sun-signs (eight traits for 12 signs). To give some examples, a trait for Aries was Impulsive, for Taurus Conservative, for Gemini Versatile, and so on. It was hypothesized that subjects would describe themselves in terms of those traits that pertained to their sun-sign. This result was found, but only for subjects who had some astrological knowledge. This finding may be accounted for by a process of self-attribution, wherein astrological knowledge may affect a person's self-concept.