Definitions by Fearman
Forer effect
Psychological effect noted by psychologist Bertram R. Forer in 1948, under which any fairly large and diverse group of people may come to believe that a tenuously balanced personality reading (especially one which, for the purpose of the test, is copied and handed out for them to ponder individually) applies strongly to each of them as individuals. Later studies have shown that the effect tends to be strongest when the recipient is given to understand that the reading has supposedly been tailored to them as an individual, that the person making the propositions is an authority they feel they can trust, and/or that most or all of the personality traits listed are positive ones, in other words flattering. The Forer effect may be of import in understanding the popularity of such pseudosciences as fortune telling or astrology.
Personality reading used to illuminate the Forer effect (thanks to Wikipedia):
You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others' statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.
Now ... how does this apply to YOU?
You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others' statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.
Now ... how does this apply to YOU?
Forer effect by Fearman March 11, 2008
Who's in da house?
Ironic question asked, often jabbing a thumb over the shoulder, when someone who considers him or herself a Grand Pooh Bah has just entered the room. From Irish comic Brendan O'Connor's kitschy pop hymn with the refrain, "Who's in da house? Jesus in da house!"
Who's in da house? by Fearman March 6, 2008
homeoveniroscopophobia
Morbid and (possibly) irrational fear that if you do the same thing every day the CIA may decide to keep a close eye on you.
homeoveniroscopophobia by Fearman March 6, 2008
alloveniroscopophobia
Morbid and (possibly) irrational fear that if you decide to do something different every day the CIA may decide to keep a close eye on you.
alloveniroscopophobia by Fearman March 6, 2008
rosaproboscideaphobia
Morbid or irrational fear of pink elephants. A motivating factor in many Prohibitionist or Temperance movements.
rosaproboscideaphobia by Fearman March 6, 2008
albuproboscideaphobia
She doesn't even send Christmas cards any more. She's that terrified of what she might get back. Bad touch of albuproboscideaphobia.
albuproboscideaphobia by Fearman March 6, 2008
horse
1. Slang for heroin.
2. Slang for a sexually attractive woman. Possible echo of whore.
3. An artificial frame of one kind or another, such as a clothes horse (used to hang clothes to dry) or a pommel horse (a sturdier structure used in gymnastics).
4. Slang for sex (a horse's body often seems to closely echo human sexual features, only considerably souped up; the shapely rump, the tapering legs, the long straight hair in the tail, the phallic head and neck, the often well-defined muscles ...,).
5. An animal that, whatever about looking erotic, would be a lot more pleasant if it were genetically engineered not to be so flipping neurotic, and maybe to smell like oranges, or perhaps fresh mint, rather than shit and stale sweat.
2. Slang for a sexually attractive woman. Possible echo of whore.
3. An artificial frame of one kind or another, such as a clothes horse (used to hang clothes to dry) or a pommel horse (a sturdier structure used in gymnastics).
4. Slang for sex (a horse's body often seems to closely echo human sexual features, only considerably souped up; the shapely rump, the tapering legs, the long straight hair in the tail, the phallic head and neck, the often well-defined muscles ...,).
5. An animal that, whatever about looking erotic, would be a lot more pleasant if it were genetically engineered not to be so flipping neurotic, and maybe to smell like oranges, or perhaps fresh mint, rather than shit and stale sweat.
I want to mainline me some horse.
Is Lily a horse or is she just a filly?
He's not yet that good on the pommel horse.
I want some horse with Jenny tonight.
Bring the horses down to the green shed, there is hay for them there.
Is Lily a horse or is she just a filly?
He's not yet that good on the pommel horse.
I want some horse with Jenny tonight.
Bring the horses down to the green shed, there is hay for them there.