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Paranormal / Parapsychology
Terminology
Edgar Cayce (1877 – 1945) was one of the best-known American psychics of the 20th century and made many well-publicized predictions.
Details
Terminology: Psychic
Definition: Greek: of the soul, mental
Signature:
Misc
Coined by: Camille Flammarion
AKA: Psi (parapsychology)
See Also: Paranormal, Telepathy, Psychokinesis, ESP

Psychic (sī'kĭk) refers in part to the human mind or psyche (ex. "psychic turmoil"). In popular usage the term psychic usually denotes paranormal forces and influences, or abilities such as psychokinesis and extra-sensory perception. People said to be sensitive to, or able to use, these paranormal forces are called psychics. The term also refers to stage magicians, mentalists, and charlatans who perform psychic-like illusions without paranormal abilities.

Belief in paranormal psychic phenomena is common. A survey conducted by the Gallup Organization in 2005 suggested that 41% of the general United States population had a belief in extra-sensory perception.[1]

The existence of paranormal psychic abilities is highly controversial. Parapsychology explores this possibility, but no evidence for paranormal phenomena has gained wide acceptance in the mainstream scientific community.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The word psychic is derived from the Greek word psychikos (of the soul/mental). French astronomer Camille Flammarion is credited as having first used the word psychic, while it was later introduced to England in the 1870s by Edward William Cox.[2] A large amount of early psychical research was conducted in England during the late 1800s. Some credit William Crookes, an English chemist and physicist, as having first used the term in describing medium and magician Daniel Dunglas Home.[3]

[edit] Popular culture

Belief in psychic abilities is common. For example, a 2006 poll by researchers Bryan Farha of Oklahoma City University and Gary Steward of University of Central Oklahoma, showed that college seniors and graduate students have more paranormal beliefs than college freshmen. According to an article by Steiger, higher education tends to support belief in the paranormal. [4]

Some people also believe that psychic abilities can be activated or enhanced through the study and practice of various disciplines and techniques such as meditation, with a number of books and websites being dedicated to instruction in these methods (see Psionics article for details). Another popular belief is that psychic ability can be inherited. [5]

Many people proclaim themselves to be psychics and/or mediums. Some make a living as professional fortune tellers or host their own TV programs, such as John Edward or are featured on the shows of others, such as Sylvia Browne (see Paranormal television).

[edit] Psychical research

Main article: Parapsychology
Participant of a Ganzfeld Experiment which proponents say may show evidence of telepathy.
Participant of a Ganzfeld Experiment which proponents say may show evidence of telepathy.

Psychical research is largely conducted in the field of parapsychology. Parapsychological research uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.[6] The experimental methods of parapsychologists include the use of random number generators to test for psychokinesis, mild sensory deprivation in the Ganzfeld experiment to test for extra-sensory perception, and research trials conducted under contract by the U.S. government to investigate remote viewing. The statistical methods of parapsychologists have generated a number of meta-analytical studies, which combine the data from several previous experiments into one large data set. Although all of the research methods of parapsychology have contributed to the field, the experimental and statistical methods have attracted much attention and debate.

Parapsychology is a fringe science because it involves research that does not fit within standard theoretical models accepted by mainstream science. Scientists such as psychologists Ray Hyman and James A. Alcock, among others, are critical of the methodology and results of parapsychology. Skeptical researchers suggest that methodological flaws best explain apparently successful experimental results, as opposed to the paranormal explanations offered by many parapsychologists. Some critical analysts argue that parapsychology crosses the line into pseudoscience.[7] To date, no evidence has been accepted by the mainstream scientific community as irrefutably supporting paranormal phenomena.

[edit] Skepticism

The existence of psychic abilities and the validity of parapsychological experiments is disputed by skeptics, often through societies such as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.[8][9][10][11] Skeptics say that the evidence presented for psychic phenomena is not sufficiently verified for scientific acceptance. Many parapsychologists who study psychic phenomena agree that many of the instances of more popular psychic phenomena such as mediumism and other psychic feats, can be attributed to non-paranormal techniques such as cold reading and hot reading, or even self- delusion. [12][13] Magicians such as Ian Rowland and Derren Brown have demonstrated techniques and results similar to those of popular psychics, but they proffer psychological explanations instead of paranormal ones.[14] They have identified, described, and developed complex psychological techniques of cold reading and hot reading.

[edit] James Randi

Former stage magician and noted debunker James Randi has offered a $1 million prize to anyone who can actively demonstrate "any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability". [15] In order to claim the prize, a challenger must first complete a preliminary evaluation - demonstrate a psychic ability in uncontrolled circumstances - and must then demonstrate the same ability under agreed, controlled circumstances. No challenger has yet passed the preliminary evaluation. [15]

Correspondence and claims from 150 applicants are listed on the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) website. [16]

[edit] Famous psychics

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] Fiction

Psychic characters are common in fiction. For example, The Dead Zone by Stephen King (and the film and TV series based on it) are about a psychic named Johnny Smith whose abilities are awakened after a car accident. Psychic abilities are also used by the fictional character Raven Baxter in the television show That's So Raven. Also subject matter seen in "Infinitude"

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Gallup poll shows that Americans' belief in the paranormal persists, Skeptical Inquirer, accessed October 28, 2006
  2. ^ Melton, J. G. (1996). Psychic. In Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology. Thomson Gale. ISBN 978-0810394872. 
  3. ^ Carroll, Robert Todd (2005). Psychic. Skepdic.com. The Skeptics Dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-08-10.
  4. ^ Steiger, B: "Smart People See Ghosts. Higher education supports belief in the paranormal" Fate Magazine, April 2006 Volume 59, Number 4, Issue 672
  5. ^ Hargreaves, Julie: Psychics - myths & misconceptions, Nov 2002, Retrieved April 25, 2007. http://www.hark.net.au/articles/psychics_info.htm
  6. ^ Parapsychological Association FAQ. Parapsychological Association (1995). Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
  7. ^ Beyerstein, Barry L. (1995). Distinguishing Science from Pseudoscience (PDF). Simon Fraser University. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  8. ^ Jeffers, Stanley (2006-05-01). The PEAR Proposition: Fact or Fallacy?. Skeptical Inquirer. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved on 2007-04-25.
  9. ^ Radford, Benjamin. CSI: Turning from Science to Psychics. Skeptical Inquirer. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved on 2007-04-25.
  10. ^ Shermer, Michael. Skeptic Psychic Drift: Why most scientists do not believe in ESP and Psi phenomena. Skepticism (website). Self Published. Retrieved on 2007-04-25.
  11. ^ Nickell, Joe. Psychic Sleuthing: The Myth-making Process. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved on 2007-04-25.
  12. ^ EBauer, berhard (1984) "Criticism and Controversy in Parapsychology - An Overview", Department of Psychology, University of Freiburg, European Journal of Parapsychology, 5, 141-166 (2007-02-09)
  13. ^ >O',Keeffe, Ciarán and Wiseman Richard (2005) "Testing alleged mediumship: Methods and results", British Journal of Psychology, 96, 165–17
  14. ^ Rowland, Ian (2002) "The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading", Self-Published, ASIN B000NDYWDA
  15. ^ a b One million dollar paranormal challenge, James Randi Educational Foundation (2007-04-25)
  16. ^ Challenge Applications, JREF (2007-04-25)

[edit] External links


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