Weather Forecasting Assignment

For more information please see the links under

todays date on our class webpage

Astrology and Horoscopes

Astrology is the study of
how the planets and
stars affect human
affairs.
A horoscope consists of
a geocentric map of the
solar system at a given
moment in time based
on a persons date, time,
and place of birth.

Astrology and Horoscopes

The calculations involved in constructing a horoscope
are based on geocentric models of the solar system
(i.e., earth is at the center).
The interpretation of horoscopes is based on oral and
written wisdom passed down across generations by
respected astrologers.
Many of the modern horoscopes that we are familiar
with are highly simplified versions based on a
persons zodiac sign (e.g., Aquarius, Leo, Capricorn).

How do these methods fare?

How do astrological methods compare with those
discussed in this course?

What would it take to establish the validity of an

astrological theory?

Are these methods (or the evidence derived from

them) part of what is advertised?

Testing Astrology
What would it take to test astrological principles?

Testing Astrology
What would it take to test astrological principles?
Different astrologers drawing upon the same
framework should make similar predictions.
The person types based on the Zodiac should be
accurate (Aries: high extraversion; Gemini: high
extraversion, high agreeableness; Pisces: high
openness).
Horoscope should be correct, within reason.

How accurate are horoscopes?

Horoscope class exercise

True

False

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Tension creeps into the workday, but you

can turn it around by spending quality
time in the open air (which brings fresh
ideas your way that will make money
later in the year). Tonight, tell a loved
one what he or she wants to hear.

There are two ways to get energy

moving forward in your career now. No.
1: Forget about who did what to whom,
and start new. No. 2: Call around before
you make any costly decisions. You
make allies by asking for help.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

There are two ways to get energy

moving forward in your career now. No.
1: Forget about who did what to whom,
and start new. No. 2: Call around before
you make any costly decisions. You
make allies by asking for help.

Tension creeps into the workday, but you

can turn it around by spending quality
time in the open air (which brings fresh
ideas your way that will make money
later in the year). Tonight, tell a loved
one what he or she wants to hear.

Validity of Horoscope

Type of horoscope

Not Valid

True

False

Valid

15

10

14

11

40%

44%

These two it felt valid rates

are fairly similar

 For the purposes of discussion, well focus today on

the personality and health information you provided
as part of your homework for todays class.
Well examine whether
(a) certain characteristics (e.g., extraversion,
subjective well-being, physical health) vary as a
function of sign and
(b) whether these characteristics vary in some of
the ways that have been hypothesized by certain
astrologers.

Just a reminder

Aquarius - January 21 - February 19

Pisces - February 20- March 20
Aries - March 21 - April 20
Taurus - April 21 - May 21
Gemini - May 22 - June 21
Cancer - June 22 - July 22
Leo - July 23 -August 21
Virgo - August 22 - September 23
Libra - September 24 - October 23
Scorpio - October 24 - November 22
Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22
Capricorn - December 23 - January 20
The data are based on the personality ratings provided by 130 students who
have participated in this exercise over the past few years.

2
1
E
x
t
r
a
v
e
r
s
io
n

0
1
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
N
e
u
r
o
t
i
c
i
s
m

0
1
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
0

C
o
n
s
c
ie
n
t
io
u
s
n
e
s
s

1
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
O
p
e
n
n
e
s
s

0
1
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
0

A
g
r
e
e
a
b
le
n
e
s
s

1
2
3

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

1
0

L
ifeS
a
tis
fa
c
tio
n

-1
-2
-3

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

4
2

P
h
y
s
i
c
a
lH
e
a
l
t
h
1

0
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

3
2
1

P
h
y
s
i
c
a
lH
e
a
l
t
h
2

0
1
2

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

Specific Predictions

Aries: Extraverted
Taurus: Agreeable
Gemini: Kind of Open
Cancer: Agreeable, Open
Leo: Open, Disagreeable
Virgo: Open and Disagreeable (critical thinkers)
Libra: Introverted
Scorpio: Disagreeable
Sagittarius: Open and Agreeable
Capricorn: Conscientious
Aquarius: Open and Introverted
Pisces: Agreeable, not conscientious

from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/personality-characteristics-of-signs-of-zodiac.html

2
1
0
-2

-1

Extraversion

Aquarius Aries CancerCapricornGemini Leo

Aries: Extraverted
Libra: Introverted

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
0
1
2

C
o
n
s
c
ie
n
t
io
u
s
n
e
s
s

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

Capricorn: Conscientious

2
1
0
2

O
p
e
n
n
e
s
s

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Gemini: Kind of Open

Leo: Open, Disagreeable
Virgo: Open and Disagreeable (critical thinkers)
Sagittarius: Open and Agreeable
Aquarius: Open and Introverted

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign

2
1
0
1
3

A
g
r
e
e
a
b
le
n
e
s
s

AquariusAries Cancer
Capricorn
Gemini Leo

Taurus: Agreeable
Cancer: Agreeable, Open
Scorpio: Disagreeable
Pisces: Agreeable, not conscientious

Libra Pisces
Sagittarius
ScorpioTaurus Virgo

Sign