Download testing the validity of astrology

T E S T I N G T H E VA L I D I T Y O F
ASTROLOGY
Brooke Burton
The question of whether or not Astrology can be classified as a true science.!
What is Astrology?
The study of stars and divination, in astrology
there are twelve signs of the Zodiac from the
east to west. There is Aries, Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius,
Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The sun goes
around the region that corresponds with each
zodiac within a month. During the calendar
year, each of the planets and the sun are in one
or another of these regions. Horoscopes are
created by mapping out the location of each
zodiac sign and the corresponding planets that
go along with each of the twelve signs.!
Pseudoscience
A pseudoscience is defined as a belief that is
does not adhere to a valid science method.
Due to the superstitious elements that go into
the explanation of Astrology scientist dispute
the recognition of this subject as a valid
science. Studies done by the National Science
Foundation prove that education level of
people effect the acceptance of Astrology as
valid. Those who lack higher education tend to
believe in the validity of Astrology. A study
done by Psychologist Richard Landers proved
that a percentage of those that believe in
Astrology confuse the term with Astronomy.
METHODS OF TESTING: DISCUSSION:
Studies and surveys have been done to test the
science of natal sun charts. The most recent
and unbiased study that took place was
developed by the Indiana Federation of
Astrologers and a team of scientist at Indiana
University. In this study astrologers were tested
to make accurate predictions of individual’s
personal characteristics and life events. This is
all based on the cognition the individual’s date,
time, and location of birth. The results were
then compared to a control subject.!
!
CONCLUSION:
Astrology plays in a portion of the world’s
culture. Whether or not people believe in it’s
validity tends correlate with their educational
background and their location. The major
conclusion that can be arrived to at this
moment based on several different studies is
that Astrology is in fact just a pseudoscience
and there is no actual scientific basis found.!
While it is concluded based off of the
Indiana University study that it can not be
determined that the accuracy of astrologers is
nothing more than chance; several links
between astrological signs and medical traits
have been found in people. This ranges from
alcohol dependency people that fall under
the gemini sign to some mental disorders like
schizophrenia in the Aquarius and Pisces
sign. This leaves a lot of room for further
research and investigation into the
correlation.!
REFERENCES:
Thagard, Paul R. “Why Astrology is a Pseudoscience” PSA:
Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science
Association, Vol. 1978, Volume One: Contributed Pa- pers (1978).
The University of Chicago Press. !
McFall, Richard M. and McGrew John H., “A Scientific Inquiry Into
the Validity of Astrology” Journal of Scientific
Exploration. Vol. 4 No. 1. Society for Scientific Exploration. !
Hall, Shannon. “NSF Report Biased, Expert Says: Americans Don’t
Think Astrology is Scientific” Universe Today. Web. 1 Mar 2014. !