What do most "psychics" actually think/believe
- Thread starter DRBUZZ0
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Tamazon
Critical Thinker
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I think most of them actually believe they have some sort of sixth sense. They are likely very perceptive people that are good at cold-reading without even knowing that's what they are doing.
They read palms or whatever for friends and strangers and if the people getting the reading done are already believers then they will ooh and aah over the acuracy of the reading and convince the person that they must be psychic or how else could they know all that.
The person then feeds off all the postive feedback and are convinced themselves that they have the power!
My father is quite good at cold-reading but as he is a reasonable person, he knows that's all it is. Although, I sometimes fear that he may believe, on some subconcious level, that he has some form of ESP.
ETA - Of course, I'm just talking about the average person, not the big name psychics. They are all lying scum.
They read palms or whatever for friends and strangers and if the people getting the reading done are already believers then they will ooh and aah over the acuracy of the reading and convince the person that they must be psychic or how else could they know all that.
The person then feeds off all the postive feedback and are convinced themselves that they have the power!
My father is quite good at cold-reading but as he is a reasonable person, he knows that's all it is. Although, I sometimes fear that he may believe, on some subconcious level, that he has some form of ESP.
ETA - Of course, I'm just talking about the average person, not the big name psychics. They are all lying scum.
Wowbagger
The Infinitely Prolonged
Perhaps many of them start out knowing, full well, that they can't talk to the dead. But, they get so much positive feedback from the clients, that they do begin to think to themselves "well, gee, maybe I really do have these powers, afterall". Then, before long, they actually think they can speak to the dead. At least that's kinda how many cult leaders got started.
ThatSoundAgain
Graduate Poster
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Voted B - most are self-deluded.
I would have gone for a mix of B through F, as I think some may employ some sort of doublethink and know at some level that their "powers" are not real. Religious people experience this too, and may have periods of doubt followed by returning to the fold and believing stronger than ever. When you have followers depending on you and idolizing you, affirmation is easy to come by - and that may also create a pressure to perform.
I think, judging by the justifications I've heard from ordinary believers in psychics, astrology etc., that it is possible a psychic or diviner can maintain their beliefs through the ordinary fallacies: Confirmation bias, positive feedback (I feel so much better after the reading!), emotional response / pseudo-religious experiences. Believers, in my experience, simply use a different tool set for determining truth values - if it feels right, it must be true. That, maybe coupled with a general distrust of authority and the scientific establishment, makes it easy for the believer to see themselves as some sort of rebel that has a valuable mystic understanding of the world.
Sorry for rambling. Just have to add that even though I think a lot of it is genuine self-delusion and good intentions, this doesn't absolve the psychic from responsibility; they are playing with fire by telling people who are trusting them what is in essence unsubstantiated guesswork. They may not realize it, but they are hurting people.
I would have gone for a mix of B through F, as I think some may employ some sort of doublethink and know at some level that their "powers" are not real. Religious people experience this too, and may have periods of doubt followed by returning to the fold and believing stronger than ever. When you have followers depending on you and idolizing you, affirmation is easy to come by - and that may also create a pressure to perform.
I think, judging by the justifications I've heard from ordinary believers in psychics, astrology etc., that it is possible a psychic or diviner can maintain their beliefs through the ordinary fallacies: Confirmation bias, positive feedback (I feel so much better after the reading!), emotional response / pseudo-religious experiences. Believers, in my experience, simply use a different tool set for determining truth values - if it feels right, it must be true. That, maybe coupled with a general distrust of authority and the scientific establishment, makes it easy for the believer to see themselves as some sort of rebel that has a valuable mystic understanding of the world.
Sorry for rambling. Just have to add that even though I think a lot of it is genuine self-delusion and good intentions, this doesn't absolve the psychic from responsibility; they are playing with fire by telling people who are trusting them what is in essence unsubstantiated guesswork. They may not realize it, but they are hurting people.
Slimething
Illuminator
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I don't like to catagorize people's animus based on their activities. I try to take 'em one at a time and get to know them. Otherwise, I'd be psychic.
I was once one of them. No statistics, but this is what I know. It isn't an absolute sequence, and does not apply to everybody. So, in the "spirit" of the topic...
"For Entertainment Purposes Only -- Enjoy!"
1) "Most" of them began as either seekers or skeptics. In either case, they either did not receive factual information or they didn't learn enough about critical thinking to make a difference.
2) Then they got into the "just for fun" stage; a tarot reading here, a ouija board seance there, and maybe an ocassional astrological or numerological chart and write-up.
3) Then the "Oh wow! I can make money doing this!" stage hits. They're still doing it "just for fun," but now they're getting paid for it, as well.
4) Then they start getting theatrical, adding a few crystals and dream catchers ... maybe some old books on spiritualism, thaumaturgic symbols, or candles (especially scented candles!) and incense.
5) Then they start actually believing the praises of their clients. "Wo, maybe I am channelling Aztechamodeum, the high priest of Ooga-Booga!"
6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 with ever-increasing fervor.
Your results may vary.
"For Entertainment Purposes Only -- Enjoy!"
1) "Most" of them began as either seekers or skeptics. In either case, they either did not receive factual information or they didn't learn enough about critical thinking to make a difference.
2) Then they got into the "just for fun" stage; a tarot reading here, a ouija board seance there, and maybe an ocassional astrological or numerological chart and write-up.
3) Then the "Oh wow! I can make money doing this!" stage hits. They're still doing it "just for fun," but now they're getting paid for it, as well.
4) Then they start getting theatrical, adding a few crystals and dream catchers ... maybe some old books on spiritualism, thaumaturgic symbols, or candles (especially scented candles!) and incense.
5) Then they start actually believing the praises of their clients. "Wo, maybe I am channelling Aztechamodeum, the high priest of Ooga-Booga!"
6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 with ever-increasing fervor.
Your results may vary.
Okay... granted this is speculation. But your actions and words can give a good idea what's going on... That's what profiling is based on. I'm pretty sure most of them have some idea they're deceiving people but also semi-believe/semi-deny it to themselves and have all kinds of psychological stuff going on that you could write a few damn Ph.D thesises on any given one of them.
cj.23
Master Poster
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Odd poll. I was tempted to vote but did not. I am 100% convinced anyone can talk to the dead. I certainly can. Occasionally I do. I expect there are some people on this planet who can't, and I feel for them. Being mute must be difficult.
My only concern is that where all of us can talk to the dead, the dead are not in my experience prone to replying.
cj x
My only concern is that where all of us can talk to the dead, the dead are not in my experience prone to replying.
cj x