Astrologic: The Effectiveness of Priming Using Chinese Zodiac Characteristics on Logical Thinking Ability

This experimental study examined whether Chinese zodiac personality descriptions, when used as priming stimuli, affect logical thinking ability among Generation Z students. A 2x2 factorial design (valence x validity) was applied to 105 college students aged 18-25, who were randomly assigned to one of four groups: positive-valid, positive-invalid, negative-valid, or negative-invalid. Logical thinking was measured using 15-minute Sudoku Logical Task administered before and after priming. A one-way ANOVA showed no significant overall effect of priming on logical thinking ability (F = 1.290, p-value = 0.282 > 0.05). However, paired sample t-tests revealed a significant improvement in the negative-valid (t = 3.266, p-value = 0.003 < 0.05) and negative-invalid (t = 2.495, p-value = 0.020) groups, whereas no significant changes were observed in the positive conditions. These exploratory results were based on uncorrected p-values and should be interpreted with caution due to potential Type I error inflation. These results suggest that negative descriptions, even when perceived as valid or invalid, may elicit compensatory motivation to protect one’s self-concept. The findings extend the Situated Inference Model and Self-Enhancement Theory by emphasizing affective valence as a stronger determinant of cognitive engagement than perceived validity. Practically, challenge-based feedback may enhance logical thinking when framed constructively.