A recent study published in the Journal of Individual Differences reveals that intelligence and educational background are the key predictors of whether someone considers astrology a legitimate science. The research team analyzed data from over 8,500 Americans to uncover the underlying factors driving astrological belief.
Contrary to previous assumptions, the study found that spirituality, religious beliefs, or political orientation played surprisingly minor roles in determining astrology acceptance. Despite the clear scientific consensus rejecting astrology's predictive validity, it remains remarkably popular in modern society. With nearly 30% of Americans believing astrology is a science, and horoscope apps attracting millions of users, understanding what drives astrological belief becomes crucial.
The research team, led by Tobias Edwards, tested four competing hypotheses to explain why people believe in astrology. The "superficial knowledge" hypothesis proposes that limited education and cognitive ability increase susceptibility to pseudoscientific beliefs. To test this theory, the researchers measured intelligence using Wordsum, a 10-item vocabulary test strongly associated with general cognitive ability.
The study controlled for demographic variables such as sex, age, and race, and employed statistical weighting techniques to ensure the sample accurately represented the broader population. The results showed that intelligence and education significantly influence belief in astrology. Participants scoring lower on the Wordsum test were more likely to consider astrology scientific, while those with fewer years of formal education demonstrated stronger tendencies to endorse astrology's scientific legitimacy.
These findings strongly support the "superficial knowledge" hypothesis, suggesting that cognitive ability and educational background are the primary drivers behind astrological belief. Contrary to expectations, other proposed explanations received little empirical support. Trust in science showed only a minimal relationship with astrological belief, while religiosity and spirituality had no significant association.
The study highlights the importance of app user experience in shaping our understanding of astrology. By recognizing that intelligence and education are the key predictors of astrology acceptance, we can better design educational initiatives enhancing critical thinking skills and scientific literacy to address pseudoscientific beliefs.
In conclusion, this research sheds light on the surprising factors driving astrological belief, emphasizing cognitive ability and educational background as the primary drivers behind astrology acceptance.