The Barnum effect in couples: effects of intimacy, involvement, and sex on acceptance of generalized personality feedback. 1988

M M Handelsman, and J McLain
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver 80204.

The study assessed the impact of test feedback about one partner on both members of male-female couples. Twenty-four males and 24 females ("participants") took an inkblot test and received a standard personality interpretation-purportedly derived from the test-in the presence of a partner (the "observer"). Half the pairs were strangers; the other half defined themselves as intimate friends. Intimate couples rated the feedback as more accurate, remembered more of the feedback, reported more faith in psychological tests, and rated experimenter skill higher than did strangers. Male participants rated the feedback as more accurate than did male observers. Males may be more receptive of feedback in couples when they themselves have taken the test.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007062 Identification, Psychological A process by which an individual unconsciously endeavors to pattern himself after another. This process is also important in the development of the personality, particularly the superego or conscience, which is modeled largely on the behavior of adult significant others. Identification (Psychology),Identification, Psychology,Identifications (Psychology),Identifications, Psychological,Identifications, Psychology,Psychological Identification,Psychological Identifications,Psychology Identification,Psychology Identifications
D007398 Interpersonal Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons. Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D008297 Male Males
D008388 Marital Therapy A form of psychotherapy involving both spouses and directed to improving the marital relationship. Marriage Therapy,Therapy, Marital,Therapy, Marriage,Marital Therapies,Marriage Therapies,Therapies, Marital,Therapies, Marriage
D008393 Marriage The social institution involving legal and/or religious sanction whereby individuals are joined together. Marital Relationship,Arranged Marriage,Commonlaw Marriage,Consensual Union,Consummation of Marriage,Dowry,Husband-Wife Comparisons,Intermarriage,Marriage Age,Marriage Duration,Marriage Patterns,Marriage Postponement,Mate Selection,Multiple Marriages,Nuptiality,Polygamy,Polygyny,Remarriage,Same-Sex Marriage,Age, Marriage,Ages, Marriage,Arranged Marriages,Commonlaw Marriages,Comparison, Husband-Wife,Comparisons, Husband-Wife,Consensual Unions,Dowries,Duration, Marriage,Husband Wife Comparisons,Husband-Wife Comparison,Intermarriages,Marital Relationships,Marriage Ages,Marriage Consummation,Marriage Consummations,Marriage Pattern,Marriage Postponements,Marriage, Arranged,Marriage, Commonlaw,Marriage, Same-Sex,Marriages,Marriages, Arranged,Marriages, Commonlaw,Marriages, Multiple,Marriages, Same-Sex,Mate Selections,Postponement, Marriage,Postponements, Marriage,Relationship, Marital,Relationships, Marital,Remarriages,Same Sex Marriage,Same-Sex Marriages,Selection, Mate,Selections, Mate,Union, Consensual,Unions, Consensual
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D005246 Feedback A mechanism of communication within a system in that the input signal generates an output response which returns to influence the continued activity or productivity of that system. Feedbacks
D005260 Female Females
D005783 Gender Identity A person's concept of self as being male and masculine or female and feminine, or ambivalent, based in part on physical characteristics, parental responses, and psychological and social pressures. It is the internal experience of gender role. Gender,Gender Identities,Identity, Gender
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

M M Handelsman, and J McLain
February 1977, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
April 1982, Journal of personality assessment,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
February 1979, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
February 1975, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
October 1973, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
May 1987, Journal of clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
February 1976, The Journal of applied psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
June 1975, The Journal of social psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
February 1979, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology,
M M Handelsman, and J McLain
January 1978, Journal of clinical psychology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!