Barnum Effect : is a term that is used in psychology. It
is the tendency for people to
accept very general or vague characterizations of themselves and take them
to be accurate. A good example of this can be seen when people
believe what is said about them in psychometric tests, personality
profiles, astrological
predictions, and so on. This phenomenon is named after P. T. Barnum,
who believed that a good circus had "a little something for
everybody." Even though the descriptions or descriptive terms used in
the inventories, typologies, and tests can apply equally well to other
people, some individuals are gullible enough to believe they are unique to
themselves. Of course, this is exactly what happens with the horoscope,
palm
reading, and crystal ball gazing (Referring to the comments of P.T. Barnum,
1810-1891, American showman, about public gullibility).