Psi (parapsychology)

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In parapsychology, psi is defined as the active agent by which mind influences matter and is able to receive ESP impressions. Daryl J. Bem and Charles Honorton defined psi thus:

The term psi denotes anomalous processes of information or energy transfer, processes such as telepathy or other forms of extrasensory perception that are currently unexplained in terms of known physical or biological mechanisms. The term is purely descriptive: It neither implies that such anomalous phenomena are paranormal nor connotes anything about their underlying mechanisms.^[1]

The term psi was coined by B. P. Wiesner Dr. and used by Robert Thouless during the 1940s, in his article entitled the Beginnings of Psychical Research. According to the website of the Parapsychological Association, psi can be

used either as a noun or adjective to identify paranormal processes and paranormal causation; the two main categories of psi are psi-gamma (paranormal cognition; extrasensory perception and psi-kappa (paranormal action; psychokinesis), although the purpose of the term "psi" is to suggest that they might simply be different aspects of a single process, rather than distinct and essentially different processes.^[2]

In popular culture, "psi phenomena" have become synonymous with psychic and "psionic" phenomena.

[edit] See also

Psi, for other meanings. Parapsychology Extra Sensory Perception

[edit] References

1. ^ Psychological Bulletin 1994, Vol. 115, No. 1, 4-18. Does Psi Exist? Replicable Evidence for an Anomalous Process of Information Transfer By Daryl J. Bem and Charles Honorton
2. ^ http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_l_r.html#p Parapsychological Association Glossary of Parapsychological terms