Search

Why Young People Are Obsessed with Personality Tests and Various Pseudosciences: A Psychological Analysis of Underlying Real-World Psychological Distresses

Author(s)

Jiahe Xu

Affiliation(s)

Applied Psychology (Teacher Training Program), Anshan Normal University, Anshan, Liaoning, China

Abstract

Ages 14 to 24 constitute a critical stage for psychological and personality development. During physical and mental transformations, the youth groups, namely adolescents and young adults shape their self-perception and values. Growing social attention has been paid to youth groups’ mental health, yet research indicates widespread anxiety, depression and other psychological troubles that hinder sound personality formation. In this paper, pseudoscience refers to content lacking testable empirical evidence but presented as an explanatory or predictive tool. Given insufficient mental health support within educational systems, numerous youth groups turn to personality tests, astrology and other pseudosciences in search of answers-a phenomenon that exposes deficiencies in mental health education and unmet psychological demands [1,2,3]. Therefore, understanding the mental health and personality composition of young people now is helpful to formulate correct ways of helping them to grow up in all aspects, give educators a scientific basis, and urge society to give priority to the cultivation of personality. From four aspects: cognitive psychological mechanisms, personal psychological troubles, social environment influence and interpersonal needs, paper summarizes the previous research results about young people’s enthusiasm for this trend, and hides them in the deep heart to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the current research. Combining with the current social trends, it summarizes the value of the research, providing theoretical reference for guiding young people to think rationally and scientifically and avoiding sticking to pseudoscience.

Keywords

Youth Groups; Personality Tests; Pseudoscience; Psychological Motivations; Real-World Psychological Distresses

References

[1] Liang Gang, Bi Xiaoya. Manifestations, Root Causes and Mitigation Strategies of Youth Fortune-Telling Practices[J]. Science and Atheism, 2025(03):79-89. [2] Ma Ruiqing. A Study on Pseudoscience’s Impacts on Adolescents and Countermeasures[D]. Guizhou University, 2008. [3] Sun Jinyu. From “Rejecting Definition” to “Chasing Definition”: Manifestations, Root Causes and Guidance Strategies of the Contemporary Youth MBTI Frenzy[J]. Journal of Southwest University of Science and Technology (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2025,42(05):91-98. [4] Wang Duxian. MBTI Symbolic Socialization and Youth Values: Mechanisms of Influence, Hidden Risks and Mitigation Strategies[J]. Journal of Chongqing Three Gorges University, 2025,41(06):13-24. [5] Peng Zilin. An Analysis of the Correlation Between College Students’ Belief in Zodiac Signs and the Barnum Effect[J]. Campus Psychology, 2014,12(03):170-172. [6] Ruo Li. Psychological Phenomenon: The Barnum Effect[J]. Popular Science World (Information Edition), 2009(01):5. [7] Li Yihe. An Analysis of the Deceptiveness and Virality of Pseudoscience[J]. Truth-Seeking, 1999(11):24-25. [8] Hou Ruihua. The Impacts of “Self-Fulfilling Prophecies” on Student Development[J]. Journal of Qiqihar University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2006(02):148-150. [9] Xiang Hui. Fortune-Tellers Master the Art of Psychological Manipulation[J]. Family Medicine & Health, 2017(12):68. [10] Hou Wenya. Uncovering Viral Tarot Divination Scams[N]. China Women’s News, 2021-12-03. [11] Han Xiaoshi. Embrace Science, Shape Your Own Destiny: An Analysis of Zodiac Folklore[J]. Theoretical Horizon, 2010(10):170-171. [12] Cao Yaxin, Zhang Han. Are Personality Tests Labelling You? [N]. Jinan Daily, 2022-04-12(008).