do you believe in psychics?

Question

i have had a few readings and not sure to believe them

Answer 1

Cold reading refers to a set of techniques used by professional manipulators to get a subject to behave in a certain way or to think that the cold reader has some sort of special ability that allows him to "mysteriously" know things about the subject. Cold reading goes beyond the usual tools of manipulation: suggestion and flattery. In cold reading, salespersons, hypnotists, advertising pros, faith healers, con men, and some therapists bank on their subject's inclination to find more meaning in a situation than there actually is. The desire to make sense out of experience can lead us to many wonderful discoveries, but it can also lead us to many follies. The manipulator knows that his mark will be inclined to try to make sense out of whatever he is told, no matter how farfetched or improbable. He knows, too, that people are generally self-centered, that we tend to have unrealistic views of ourselves, and that we will generally accept claims about ourselves that reflect not how we are or even how we really think we are but how we wish we were or think we should be. He also knows that for every several claims he makes about you that you reject as being inaccurate, he will make one that meets with your approval; and he knows that you are likely to remember the hits he makes and forget the misses.

Thus, a good manipulator can provide a reading of a total stranger, which will make the stranger feel that the manipulator possesses some special power. For example, Bertram Forer has never met you, yet he offers the following cold reading of you:

Some of your aspirations tend to be pretty unrealistic. At times you are extroverted, affable, sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary and reserved. You have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. You pride yourself on being an independent thinker and do not accept others' opinions without satisfactory proof. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety, and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. Disciplined and controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside.

Your sexual adjustment has presented some problems for you. While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. You have a great deal of unused capacity which you have not turned to your advantage. You have a tendency to be critical of yourself. You have a strong need for other people to like you and for them to admire you.

Here's another reading that you might find fairly accurate about you:

People close to you have been taking advantage of you. Your basic honesty has been getting in your way. Many opportunities that you have had offered to you in the past have had to be surrendered because you refuse to take advantage of others. You like to read books and articles to improve your mind. In fact, if you're not already in some sort of personal service business, you should be. You have an infinite capacity for understanding people's problems and you can sympathize with them. But you are firm when confronted with obstinacy or outright stupidity. Law enforcement would be another field you understand. Your sense of justice is quite strong.

Answer 2

I believe there are people out there with psychic abilities. But for the most part, if you went to someone and paid to have a "reading" done, they most likely aren't a real psychic. A lot of that stuff you see on TV (the Psychic Friends Network, etc...) is just for the money. In my experience, a true "psychic" won't charge you money.

One of the best ways you can tell if someone is truly psychic is if you have to give them any info about yourself. You shouldn't have to give your birthdate. This tells a person a lot about you. Your zodiac sign gives a lot more info than you think. And a person who knows anything about the zodiac can use that within the reading in order to give you info. A true psychic wouldn't need anything from you in order to deliver a message to you.

Answer 3

Hi Purdy,

I know several people I would consider psychic.
The problem is there are a whole bunch of people out there that are good at reading body language and directing you where they want you to get the information they need to get $50 from you.
The best readers I know charge a flat fee (when they charge) and it's usually quite low. Most will advertise $40 for a 1/2 hour tarot reading, however I have seen many people go well beyond their 1/2 hour without charging extra.
Look for the flat fee people. If it goes for an hour or two at no extra cost, they are most likely genuine. If they set a timer or look at their watch, walk out.
A good reading does not have time limits and those that are not in it for the money know and stick to this.
Personally, I don't charge for readings, but I'm in Australia so that wont help you.
A descent tarot reader will draw info from you, the charlatans will misuse it and watch the clock.

Good Luck

GreenMan

Answer 4

The whole point of the psychic is knowing not believing. Believing by its very definition means that you don't know

Answer 5

Yes!
Whilst on a ghost hunt with a medium, my grandad came through.
I have never met my grandad as he died before I was born, but the medium said he was wearing a blue suit which was clarified by my Mum later who went a bit pale and said that that was his best suit, something that I didn't know!

The same medium also brought through my boyfriend's grandad who he said looked like Boris Karloff (we later compared photos and were shocked to see the similarities betweenm him and a younger Boris Karloff!).

He then asked whether my boyfriend's Dad had been complaining of indegestion andf chest pains which he had. His grandad through the medium said to tell him that it wasn't indigestion and that he should go and see a doctor.
My boyfriend's Dad dismissed it until a week later when his Dad was rushed to hospital having been up all night with chest pains thinking it was indigestion.
It was only when his wife came down that morning was an ambulance called and it was established that he was having a heart attack!

Thankfully he's fit and well now but it was quite freaky that it had been predicted a week before.
The link to his site is below.

Answer 6

They are conmen who use Cold and warm reading.
Cold reading has been neatly explained above by eldad9.
Warm reading is where the 'psychic' has foreknowledge of the person, by some sort of formal or informal 'research'

Answer 7

I believe many are phonies.
I also believe that there are some amazing people out there with the ability to see the future and help solve quetions about the past.

I peraonally do have some psychic powers from time to time.

There is a thin veil between the spiritual wold and the earth that we are in/

Answer 8

My mother went to one and giving her no information about me, the psychic told her that someone she loves who is surrounded by glass will soon face great danger. The next week I was held up at gunpoint by a bank robber. My teller's cage was made of glass.

Answer 9

some of them are good but others are just reading your facial and body language. Go to ones that are only recommended by other people.

Answer 10

I think you can read into them what you want