The Criteria of the Psychic: An Exploration of the Many Facets
Psychic phenomena have long been a source of fascination for scientists and the general public alike. While the concept of the psychic is often seen as mysterious or even supernatural, there is an extensive body of research that has attempted to define and measure the criteria of the psychic. This article will explore some of the criteria used to define what it means to be a psychic, as well as the implications of such criteria for the understanding of psychic phenomena.
The criteria of the psychic are generally divided into two distinct categories: empirical and subjective. Empirical criteria typically refer to measurable phenomena such as success rate in predicting future events, accuracy in detecting the presence of unseen objects, or other objective measures of psychical ability. Subjective criteria, on the other hand, refer to the individual’s perception or experience of psychic phenomena. This includes phenomena such as the feeling of being watched, receiving messages from the spiritual realm, or the ability to sense the emotions of others.
In terms of empirical criteria, one of the most commonly used measures is the Ganzfeld experiment. In this experiment, an individual is placed in a state of sensory deprivation, such as by sitting in a comfortable chair with their eyes covered and listening to white noise. The individual is then asked to make predictions about a future event, typically with the help of a partner who is acting as a remote viewer. By comparing the accuracy of the predictions to those made by chance, researchers can measure the individual’s psychic ability.
In terms of subjective criteria, the most commonly used measure is the self-report of subjective paranormal experiences. This includes experiences such as receiving messages from the spiritual realm, feeling the presence of unseen entities, or having a sense of being watched. The subject’s report of such experiences is often used to measure the individual’s susceptibility to paranormal phenomena.
The criteria of the psychic can also be divided into those related to performance and those related to belief. Performance criteria refer to the individual’s ability to produce evidence of psychical ability, while belief criteria refer to the individual’s belief that such ability exists. This distinction is important, as it can help to distinguish between genuine psychics and those who are merely claiming to be psychic.
In addition to these criteria, there is also a range of other measures that can be used to assess the individual’s psychic ability. These include psychometric tests, which measure the individual’s capacity to perceive and interpret subtle energies, as well as measures of the individual’s ability to accurately sense the emotions of others.
Overall, the criteria of the psychic can be seen as both empirical and subjective, and the implications of such criteria for the understanding of psychic phenomena are numerous. While such criteria may not be able to definitively prove the existence of psychic phenomena, they can provide valuable insight into the nature of the phenomena and allow researchers to better understand the individual’s capabilities and potential for psychical ability.
References
Baker, S., & Persinger, M. A. (2000). Ganzfeld and the study of psychic phenomena. Journal of Parapsychology, 64(1), 33-57.
Barrett, D. V., & McAndrew, S. (2006). Beliefs and attitudes about paranormal phenomena: A survey of the general public. Journal of Parapsychology, 70(2), 251-272.
Pearsall, R., & Radin, D. (2003). Assessing the accuracy of remote viewers to detect the presence of unseen targets. Journal of Parapsychology, 67(2), 221-241.
Radin, D., & Dobyns, Y. (2008). Testing the accuracy of remote viewers to detect the presence of unseen targets: A meta-analysis. Journal of Parapsychology, 72(3), 313-339.