forer

Forer can refer to a surname and, in psychology, to the Forer effect, a cognitive bias named after American psychologist Bertram R. Forer. The term describes the common tendency of people to perceive general, vague statements as highly accurate descriptions of their own personality.

The Forer effect arises from the use of Barnum or horoscopic-style statements that are broad, positive, and applicable to many people. In experiments conducted by Forer in the mid-20th century, participants were asked to rate how well a set of statements described them, and they typically judged the readings as highly accurate despite the statements being deliberately nonspecific. The phenomenon helps explain why people often find personal relevance in astrology, fortune readings, and certain personality feedback that lacks precise detail.

In psychological and critical-thinking contexts, the Forer effect is discussed alongside the Barnum effect to illustrate how subjective validation can influence judgments. It highlights the importance of skepticism toward generalized readings and the need for evidence-based assessment when evaluating personality or behavior.

As a surname, Forer appears in various cultures and may be found among individuals who bear it in different regions. The most widely recognized use of the term in public discourse is the Forer effect, which remains a foundational concept in discussions of judgment, perception, and pseudoscientific claims.