Astrology as Pseudoscience
Analyzing an Astrological Forecast
Astrology is a great modern example of pseudoscience. Interpreting the movements of the planets and relative positions of stars and constellations seems scientific on the surface, but a deeper look exposes a complete lack of any scientific methodology at all. This is a multipart activity that will help students explore what astrology is all about and question its tenants.
First, you will print out the Custom Astrological Forecast shown on the first two pages as a single front-and-back document. Either type or write in the name and birthday of each of your students, then pass them out. Explain to the students that you used an online service to generate a personality profile that is unique to each of them based on their birth date, zodiac sign, etc. Have the students read the forecast, then rate the accuracy of each of the statements on the back. Finally, have the students exchange their forecast with someone else and let them come to the realization that each of the forecasts were identical. Discuss the generic, open-to-interpretation nature of the statements in this and other similar horoscopes.
Second, have the students read the twelve statements listed as #4 and choose the one that best first their personality. Then, see if their choice matches their actual zodiac sign.
Finally, have them visit the in-the-sky.org virtual Planetarium to see what constellation the sun(ecliptic) crosses on the morning of their birthday. It will not match the traditional zodiac dates.
Essential concepts: Pseudoscience, scientific method, bias, experimental design, astrology, zodiac, forer effect.
