The Barnum Effect

Ever wonder how astrologists and palm readers make a living? Although their work isn't backed by science, many people still believe them. This is due to the Barnum effect. The Barnum effect occurs when people assume a general description of something applies to them. We subconsciously find a personal link to a generalized description, increasing its significance. This is why horoscopes may appear to be surprisingly accurate, when in fact they were curated to seem personalized for a large group of people. Even movies such as Blade Runner utilize the Barnum effect, creating a character that screams "That's me".