【阅读理解。IntheWest.somepeoplebelievethatpersonalitycanbepredictedaccordingtothetimeoftheyearthepersonwasborn.FromChinacomesthebeliefthattheyearofbirthinfluencesone'spersonality.Inthepastcent】
阅读理解。
In the West. some people believe that personality can be predicted according tothe time of the year the
person was born. From China comes the belief that the year of birth influences one's personality. In the past
century a new belief has arisen: the idea that personality is related to one's ABO blood type. People with blood
type A for example are considered more likely to be serious hard-working and quiet while people with blood
type O are likely to be popular and outgoing yet often unable to finish what they start. Though this belief
continues to be strong some people question whether it is true.
The blood-type personality theory (理论) started in Japan in 1927 when Fu- rukawa Takeji noticed
personality similarities and differences among his workers. The idea soon went out of fashion but was
brought back by a Japanese television host named Toshitaka Nomi in the 1970s. The belief is still strong in
Japan and is increas- ingly popular in neighboring countries. Some young Koreans have taken to the theory.
A recent study showed 76 percent of Koreans aged between 13 and 64 believing in the blood-type personality
connection. Though most Asians might believe in the blood-type theory for many it seems harmless and not
something to be taken too seriously.
There is also the possibility that people are influenced to change their personality to match the expected
stereotypes (思维定式). A survey of studies made in Japan over a 10-year period found that while in the 1970s
there was no relationship between blood types and personality later studies in the 1980s found that the
relationship increased a little. Researchers concluded that as the belief in the stereotypes increases people
may be changing their personality to follow the blood-type theory.
Is the belief true? The scientists in Asia largely