Introversion-extraversion – astrology versus psychology

Author: J. J. F. VanRooij
Abstract: This study replicates work of Mayo, White & Eysenck (Journal of Social Psychology, 1978, 105, 229-236) and confirmed the astrological proposition that those born with the sun in a positive sign (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquaries) are extraverted, and those with the sun in a negative sign (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces) are inroverted. This result was indeed found, but only with subjects who had astrological interests, and consulted sun sign horoscopes regularly. The author suggests that there may be a self-attribution process, although a true astrological effect cannot be disproved with these data. It is concluded however that ‘selective self-attribution’ based on regular consultation of sun sign horoscopes is the most likely explanation.
The author does not comment on one interesting implication of this finding: that normative data on psychological constructs such as introversion-extraversion could reflect self-perception based on external cues (reading horoscopes), a variable not usually measured in personality research.
Keywords: Eysenck, Introversion, Extraversion, Positive Sun Signs, Astrological Knowledge
Notes:
Publication: Personality and Individual Differences
Issue: 16 (6)
Dated: 1994
Pages: 985-988