Evolution of Thought Lab Manual
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YOUR HOROSCOPE: YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SUN-SIGN POTENTIALS T BACKGROUND: According to astrologers, your horoscope is a map of the planetary positions at the time and place of your birth. Your Sun Sign is the constellation/sign of the Zodiac occupied by the Sun on your birth date. Although there are many factors typically considered when interpreting your horoscope, the Sun Sign is considered the most important single factor, revealing your basic personality traits and potentials for growth and development. Our question, then, is: “Do those personality traits correspond reliably with birthdates?” PROCEDURE: To test this concept, search the following list of traits and interests until you find the particular combination of traits and interests which come closest to how you see yourself. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, write the NUMBER of that combination (1-12), and your birthday (e.g. “July 25”). Also, write YES or NO if you think astrology can give accurate predictions (YES) or not (NO). Fold the paper in half, so the information is hidden inside, and pass it in when called for. Your teacher will then re-distribute the sheets, and show you a key which reveals the astrological Sun-Signs and dates for each number. See the number on the sheet you received? Find that number on the key, then look at the corresponding date- range. If the date on your sheet fits in that date-range, write “HIT” on the sheet. If it does not, write “MISS” on the sheet. Your teacher will count the number of “HITs” and “MISSes” in the class, and discuss how these results compare with what could be expected due to random chance. A significantly higher number of HITs might suggest that something other than chance could be operating. Answer the Discussion questions provided, and be prepared to share your answers with the class during class discussion. # Key Positive Traits Main Interests Possible Negative Traits 1 action, initiative, enthusiasm, leader, self, challenges, leading, starting arrogant, quarrelsome, easily bored, competitive selfish, stubborn 2 possessive, determined, practical, enduring, possessions, comfort, beauty, arts, stubborn, jealous, slow, lazy, greedy loyal family 3 intelligent, versatile, witty, curious, popular variety, travel, talking, reading superficial, fickle, impatient, break rules 4 tenacious, domestic, sensitive, emotional, security, home, family, country, combative, moody, vain shy, neat, protective solitude 5 power, authority, romantic, idealistic, self- sports, being in charge, teaching, egotistical, domineering, blunt, confident, generous protective temperamental 6 service, methodical, high standards, practical, routine, details, perfection, travel, fault-finding, worry, hurtful neat, reliable work alone 7 harmony, fair, cooperative, romantic, companionship, social life, justice, indecisive, extravagant, fickle gracious, work hard beauty/arts 8 resourceful, secretive, forceful, emotional, sex, solving mysteries, working vengeful, cynical, argue, jealous, loyal, determined hard, success sarcastic 9 hopeful, intuitive, honest, friendly, idealist, freedom, travel, philosophy, not particular, blunt (tactless), argue easy-going religion, books 10 ambitious, organized, conservative, frugal, hard work, business, being in worry, slave-driver, stubborn, social practical, neat charge, caution climber 11 independent, helpful, broadminded, tireless, helping others, friends, politics, dogmatic, rebel, impersonal, generous being leader stubborn, blunt, argue 12 compassionate, sensitive, generous, gentle, hospitals, pets, thinking, peace, easily influenced, not ambitious, no dreamy, imaginative helping, arts self-confidence © Integrated Science 1, Northwood High School, Irvine CA Revised 8/25/2014 E.T. - 15 KEY TO SUN-SIGN DATES T # DATES SUN SIGN 1 Mar 21-Apr 19 Aries 2 Apr 20-May 20 Taurus 3 May 21-Jun 21 Gemini 4 Jun 22-Jul 22 Cancer 5 Jul 23-Aug 22 Leo 6 Aug 23-Sep 22 Virgo 7 Sep 23-Oct 22 Libra 8 Oct 23-Nov 21 Scorpio 9 Nov 22-Dec 21 Sagittarius 10 Dec 22-Jan 19 Capricorn 11 Jan 19-Feb 18 Aquarius 12 Feb 19-Mar 20 Pisces © Integrated Science 1, Northwood High School, Irvine CA Revised 8/25/2014 E.T. - 16 Name______________________________________ Per.___ Date________ YOUR HOROSCOPE: WORKSHEET RESULTS: Bellief in astrology: There were ______ YESs, and ______ Nos in this class of ______students. RESULTS: There were ______ HITs, and ______ MISSes in this class (total of ______ students) RESULTS in other classes (data from teacher: ____ HITs, and _____ MISSes ... for total of _____ students PROBABILITY RESULTS DUE TO RANDOM CHANCE: 1. What is the probability that one individual would select the “right” number, just by chance? 1/____ 2. What is the total of all of these individual probabilities? (the individual probability, step 1, times the total number of students) = ________ 3. So, about how many students would you expect to select the right number just by chance alone? _____ DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 4. If the class total of hits is close to chance, what does this tell us about the predictability of Sun Signs? 5. If the class total of hits is significantly higher than expected, what could have caused this? (list 2-3) How could you critically test or control for each possibility? 6. How did this class’ results compare with the results in other classes? 7. If Sun Signs are so fundamental to horoscope interpretation, what do our collective results suggest about the predictability, validity and potential usefulness of horoscopes? 8. What problems did you find in trying to select the Sun Sign description which came closest to how you see yourself? 9. What other tests of astrology can you think of? Consider looking at famous people in various fields. If interested, ask your teacher about doing other tests of astrology as a special project. 10. Why might a person think that his or her horoscope seems to be true? 11. Astrology is “The oldest empirical science in the world.” (Hewitt, 1997, p. 16). Astrology is based on ancient beliefs about planets and stars, employing mysterious patterns and complex calculations to reveal details of individual personalities and potentials, and provide the basis for critical decisions in one’s life. Repeated tests and challenges which could have provided support for astrology (“Fair Tests”) have consistently shown the process to be unreliably predictive or descriptive. Furthermore, no mechanism to explain the purported relationship between personalities, destinies, and heavenly bodies has ever been demonstrated; astrology allegedly continues to function due to “mysterious forces”. Explain why astrology is NOT a science, but rather a pseudoscience. 12. Do you now think that astrology can give accurate predictions (YES) or not (NO)? ________ © Integrated Science 1, Northwood High School, Irvine CA Revised 8/25/2014 E.T. - 17.