Birthday-number effect

Imagine your birthday is on the 15th of March. That's 15 and 3! Scientists have found that many people like these numbers more than other numbers, like 7 or 22.

It's like a secret superpower your brain has! This happens because your birthday is all about YOU, and we usually like things that remind us of ourselves. So, the numbers from your special day get a little boost of 'liking' from your brain.

Two smart scientists from Japan, Shinobu Kitayama and Mayumi Karasawa, first noticed this funny feeling in 1997. They did some tests and found that lots of people felt the same way! It wasn't just in Japan either; other scientists tried it in different countries and saw it happening too. It seems to be true for kids and grown-ups, boys and girls. It’s like a hidden rule that many brains follow!

Think about your favorite toy or your best friend. You probably like them a lot, right? Your birthday is super special because it's YOUR day! So, the numbers that make up your birthday, like the day and the month, feel special too. Your brain connects these numbers to you, and because you like yourself, you subconsciously like these numbers more. It's a way your brain says, 'This is me!'

Sometimes, this secret liking can even make us choose things! Imagine you're looking at two toys, and one has a price tag with your birthday number on it. You might feel a little more drawn to that toy, even if you don't know why. It’s not a big, obvious choice, but a tiny, hidden preference. It’s like your birthday numbers are whispering, 'Pick me!'