birthday-number effect in psychology

The birthday-number effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to choose or indicate a preference for numbers that are associated with their birthdays or birth months when selecting numbers in various contexts. This effect has been observed in many different countries and cultures.

A Japanese study by Kitayama and Karasawa (1997) found a preference for numbers related to one's birthday and birth month. Nickell et al. (2003) found a positive evaluation of one's birth month and year.

The birthday-number effect has been attributed to several factors, including the salience of one's birthdate or birth month, the familiarity of these numbers, and the belief in the significance of these numbers. However, it is important to note that the effect is largely driven by personal choice and preference, rather than any objective influence of one's birthdate or birth month on the outcome of the task.

Overall, the birthday-number effect highlights the influence of personal factors on decision-making and the importance of understanding the biases that can affect our choices.

References

Kitayama, S., & Karasawa, M. (1997). Implicit Self-Esteem in Japan: Name Letters and Birthday Numbers. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(7), 736–742. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167297237006 

Nickell, G., Pederson, K., & Rossow, C. (2003). The Birthdate Effect: An Extension of the Mere Ownership Effect. Psychological Reports, 92(1), 161–163. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2003.92.1.161

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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