The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal

by Lynne Kelly

Excerpt:
Entry-level Cold Reading
The beginner's version is just to use a standard spiel which pretty well fits everyone. The most famous is that developed by Bertram Forer in 1948 and gleaned from astrology columns collected at the local newsstand, His students rated it on average at over four out of five, with five being perfect. It has received similar ratings over subsequent decades of testing. How would you rate it for accuracy for yourself?

Some of your aspirations tend to be pretty unrealistic. At times you are extroverted, affable, while at other times you are introverted, wary and reserved. You have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. You pride yourself on being an independent thinker and do not accept others' opinions without satisfactory proof. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety, and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. Disciplined and controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside.

You sexual adjustment has presented some problems for you. While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. You have a great deal of unused capacity which you have not turned to your advantage. You have a tendency to be critical of yourself. You have a strong need for other people to like you and for them to admire you.

....

(When I first read this, I was quite stunned... But on hindsight, it all makes sense. It is obvious that no one behaves the same way under circumstances. Everyone has their "other side". Makes me wonder, aren't we all the same, but trying to be different?)