Hot reading
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Hot reading is the use of foreknowledge when giving a psychic reading. The foreknowledge is ideally concealed in order to offer a more impressive and apparently accurate reading.
The reader can gain information about the sitter (person getting the reading) through a variety of means, such as research or overhearing a conversation. Hot reading is commonly used in conjunction with cold reading (where no foreknowledge is available), and can sometimes be used to explain how a psychic reader can get a specific claimed "hit" of accurate information.
This technique is said to have been used by some television psychics. The psychics may have clients schedule their appearance ahead of time, and then send confederates to people's homes to collect information while posing as religious missionaries, magazine sales people, or the like. [1] Such visitors can often gain a wide understanding of a person from examining their home. Then the "psychic" may be briefed on the information and where the person will sit in the audience.
A 2001 Time article reported that psychic John Edward allegedly utilized hot reading on his television show, Crossing Over.[2] In another incident, Edward was alleged to have used foreknowledge to hot read in an interview on the television show Dateline.[3] John Edward has denied ever using foreknowledge, cold or hot reading.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Secrets of Psychics Revealed, NBC (2003)
- ^ Leon Jaroff. "Talking to the Dead". Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-06-14.
- ^ Joe Nickell. "John Edward: Hustling the Bereaved". CSICOP. Retrieved on 2006-06-14.
- ^ Edward, John (2001). Crossing Over. Jodere Group. ISBN 1-58872-002-0.
