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A psychic is defined as an individual who exclusively uses telepathy to discern information hidden from normal senses.
Answer: False
The definition of a psychic encompasses a broader range of claimed parapsychological abilities, including clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and teleportation, not exclusively telepathy.
Psychic detectives and psychic archaeology are widely accepted and scientifically validated applications of psychic powers.
Answer: False
Asserted applications of psychic powers, including psychic detective work and psychic archaeology, explicitly lack scientific validation.
Edgar Cayce and Sylvia Browne are listed among the famous psychics in the article.
Answer: True
The article explicitly lists Edgar Cayce and Sylvia Browne as examples of famous psychics.
The word 'psychic' is derived from the Latin word *anima*, meaning 'spirit.'
Answer: False
The word 'psychic' is derived from the Greek word *psychikos*, meaning 'of the mind' or 'mental,' not from the Latin *anima*.
Edward William Cox is credited with first using the word 'psychic,' and Camille Flammarion introduced it to the English language.
Answer: False
Camille Flammarion is credited with first using the word 'psychic,' while Edward William Cox introduced it into the English language.
Astrology was a prominent early system of divination and fortune-telling dating back to ancient times.
Answer: True
Astrology is identified as a widely known early system of divination and fortune-telling, with origins in ancient times.
In early civilizations, seers and prophets primarily served as entertainers for royal courts.
Answer: False
In early civilizations, seers and prophets primarily served as functionaries, including roles as advisors, priests, and judges, rather than solely as entertainers.
The biblical account of Samuel helping Saul find his lost donkeys illustrates a seer's function in practical guidance.
Answer: True
The biblical narrative in 1 Samuel (Chapter 9) provides a specific example of a seer, Samuel, offering practical guidance by helping Saul locate his lost donkeys.
In ancient Assyria, seers were known as *nabu*, meaning 'to call' or 'announce.'
Answer: True
The text states that in ancient Assyria, seers were referred to as *nabu*, a term signifying 'to call' or 'announce.'
The Pythia at the Delphic Oracle was a priestess who delivered prophecies inspired by Apollo, sometimes speaking in a frenzied state.
Answer: True
The Pythia, a priestess at the Delphic Oracle, was believed to deliver prophecies inspired by Apollo, with some accounts suggesting she spoke in a frenzied state.
Modern geological theories suggest that the Pythia's prophetic state at Delphi might have been caused by seismic activity.
Answer: False
Modern geological theories suggest that the Pythia's prophetic state at Delphi may have been caused by the inhalation of ethylene gas, not seismic activity.
A common belief in ancient cultures was that prophetic dreams were occasionally accessible to everyone, not just specific figures.
Answer: True
Many ancient cultures held a common belief that prophetic dreams were occasionally accessible to all individuals, not exclusively to designated prophetic figures.
According to the text, what is a fundamental characteristic of a psychic?
Answer: An individual who claims abilities rooted in parapsychology to discern hidden information.
The text defines a psychic as an individual who claims abilities rooted in parapsychology, such as extrasensory perception, to discern information hidden from normal senses.
Which of these asserted applications of psychic powers is explicitly stated to lack scientific validation in the text?
Answer: Psychic detectives.
The text explicitly states that asserted applications of psychic powers, such as psychic detectives, lack scientific validation.
Who among the following is listed as a famous psychic in the article?
Answer: Sylvia Browne
Sylvia Browne is explicitly listed among the famous psychics mentioned in the article.
From what language and concept is the word 'psychic' derived?
Answer: Greek, meaning 'of the mind' or 'mental.'
The word 'psychic' is derived from the Greek word *psychikos*, meaning 'of the mind' or 'mental,' and relates to the human mind or psyche.
Who is credited with first using the word 'psychic'?
Answer: Camille Flammarion
French astronomer and spiritualist Camille Flammarion is credited with first using the word 'psychic.'
Which ancient system of divination is mentioned as perhaps the most widely known early system?
Answer: Astrology
Astrology is mentioned as perhaps the most widely known early system of divination and fortune-telling, dating back to ancient times.
In early civilizations, what roles did seers and prophets often fulfill?
Answer: Functionaries such as advisors, priests, and judges.
In early civilizations, seers and prophets frequently served as functionaries, occupying roles such as advisors, priests, and judges.
The biblical account in 1 Samuel (Chapter 9) provides an example of a seer's function when Samuel is asked to help Saul with what?
Answer: Finding his lost donkeys.
The biblical account in 1 Samuel (Chapter 9) illustrates a seer's function through Samuel's assistance to Saul in finding his lost donkeys.
Who were the seers in ancient Egypt, according to the text?
Answer: The priests of the sun deity Ra at Memphis.
According to the text, the priests of the sun deity Ra at Memphis served as seers in ancient Egypt.
What was the role of the Pythia at the Delphic Oracle in classical antiquity?
Answer: She was a priestess who delivered prophecies inspired by Apollo.
The Pythia at the Delphic Oracle was a priestess responsible for delivering prophecies believed to be inspired by Apollo.
What modern geological theory is suggested as a natural explanation for the Pythia's state of inspiration at Delphi?
Answer: Inhalation of ethylene gas.
A modern geological theory posits that the inhalation of ethylene gas, rising from the ground at Delphi, may have caused the Pythia's state of inspiration.
What common belief about psychic abilities existed in many ancient cultures, even for ordinary people?
Answer: Prophetic dreams were available to everyone on occasion.
A common belief in ancient cultures was that prophetic dreams were occasionally accessible to all individuals, not just to specific figures.
Modern Spiritualism, prominent in the mid-nineteenth century, focused on scientific experiments to prove psychic abilities.
Answer: False
Modern Spiritualism primarily focused on the belief that mediums could contact the spirits of the dead, rather than on rigorous scientific experimentation to prove psychic abilities.
Daniel Dunglas Home was a Victorian figure known for his reported abilities to levitate and communicate with the deceased.
Answer: True
Daniel Dunglas Home, a notable Victorian figure, was widely recognized for his reported abilities of levitation and communication with the deceased.
The Theosophical Society, co-founded by Helena Blavatsky, explicitly rejected all claims of psychic powers.
Answer: False
The Theosophical Society, co-founded by Helena Blavatsky, integrated spiritualist elements and Blavatsky herself claimed numerous psychic powers, indicating it did not reject such claims.
By the late twentieth century, psychics were primarily associated with academic research institutions.
Answer: False
By the late twentieth century, psychics were primarily associated with the New Age movement and popular culture, rather than academic research institutions.
How did Modern Spiritualism, prominent in the mid-nineteenth century, contribute to the concept of psychic abilities?
Answer: By promoting the belief that mediums could contact the spirits of the dead.
Modern Spiritualism significantly contributed to the concept of psychic abilities by promoting the belief that mediums could communicate with the spirits of the deceased.
Daniel Dunglas Home was a prominent Victorian figure known for which reported abilities?
Answer: Levitation and communication with the deceased.
Daniel Dunglas Home was renowned during the Victorian era for his reported abilities of levitation and communication with the deceased.
What was a key characteristic of the Theosophical Society, co-founded by Helena Blavatsky?
Answer: It combined spiritualist elements with Eastern mysticism.
The Theosophical Society, co-founded by Helena Blavatsky, was characterized by its synthesis of spiritualist elements with Eastern mysticism.
By the late twentieth century, with what cultural movement were psychics commonly associated?
Answer: The New Age movement
By the late twentieth century, psychics became commonly associated with the New Age cultural movement.
The scientific community generally regards claims of psychic abilities as pseudoscience due to a lack of empirical evidence.
Answer: True
The scientific consensus consistently categorizes claims of psychic abilities as pseudoscience, citing a pervasive absence of empirical evidence and verifiable scientific methodology.
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences concluded in 1988 that there was strong scientific justification for parapsychological phenomena based on 130 years of research.
Answer: False
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences concluded in 1988 that there was 'no scientific justification' for parapsychological phenomena after 130 years of research.
A 2012 study successfully replicated experiments supporting precognition, thereby confirming its existence.
Answer: False
A 2012 study attempting to replicate experiments supporting precognition 'failed to produce significant effects,' thus not confirming its existence.
A 1990 survey of National Academy of Sciences members showed that a majority believed extrasensory perception had been scientifically demonstrated.
Answer: False
A 1990 survey of National Academy of Sciences members revealed that only 2% believed extrasensory perception had been scientifically demonstrated, indicating a strong lack of consensus for its existence.
The Ganzfeld experiment is a parapsychological research method used to investigate psychokinesis.
Answer: False
The Ganzfeld experiment is a parapsychological research method employed to investigate extrasensory perception (ESP), whereas random number generators are used for psychokinesis.
Critics of parapsychological research, such as Ray Hyman, argue that methodological flaws and a lack of replication account for experimental results.
Answer: True
Critics like Ray Hyman assert that methodological flaws and a consistent inability to replicate results by independent experimenters are the primary explanations for findings in parapsychological research.
A 2008 neuroimaging study provided strong evidence supporting the existence of paranormal mental phenomena.
Answer: False
A 2008 neuroimaging study concluded that its findings represented 'the strongest evidence yet obtained against the existence of paranormal mental phenomena,' rather than supporting it.
What is the prevailing scientific consensus regarding the existence of psychic powers?
Answer: Science describes the practice as pseudoscience due to a lack of empirical evidence.
The scientific community generally regards claims of psychic powers as pseudoscience, citing a consistent lack of empirical evidence to support their existence.
What was the primary conclusion of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' 1988 report on parapsychological phenomena?
Answer: Research over 130 years provided no scientific justification for parapsychological phenomena.
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences' 1988 report concluded that 130 years of research provided no scientific justification for the existence of parapsychological phenomena.
What was the outcome of a 2012 study that attempted to replicate experiments supporting precognition?
Answer: It failed to produce significant effects, not supporting precognition.
A 2012 study attempting to replicate experiments supporting precognition 'failed to produce significant effects,' thereby not supporting its existence.
What did a 1990 survey of National Academy of Sciences members reveal about their belief in extrasensory perception?
Answer: Only 2% believed it had been scientifically demonstrated.
A 1990 survey of National Academy of Sciences members indicated that only 2% believed extrasensory perception had been scientifically demonstrated.
Which parapsychological research method is specifically mentioned for investigating psychokinesis?
Answer: Random number generators
Random number generators are specifically mentioned as a parapsychological research method used to investigate psychokinesis.
What is a main criticism leveled against parapsychological research by critics like Ray Hyman?
Answer: It suffers from methodological flaws and a consistent lack of replication.
Critics such as Ray Hyman argue that parapsychological research is primarily criticized for its methodological flaws and a consistent inability to replicate results by independent experimenters.
What was the conclusion of a 2008 neuroimaging study designed to create favorable conditions for psychic phenomena?
Answer: It provided the strongest evidence yet obtained against the existence of paranormal mental phenomena.
A 2008 neuroimaging study concluded that its findings represented 'the strongest evidence yet obtained against the existence of paranormal mental phenomena.'
Stage magicians primarily rely on genuine psychic abilities to create entertainment for their audiences.
Answer: False
Stage magicians utilize techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot reading to create the illusion of psychic abilities, rather than employing genuine paranormal powers.
Nostradamus was a French Renaissance seer whose book *Les Prophéties* is considered by academic scholars to contain genuine predictive power.
Answer: False
Academic scholars generally contend that Nostradamus's prophecies are too vague and subject to misinterpretation, lacking genuine predictive power.
Magicians like James Randi attribute their demonstrations of psychic-like abilities to paranormal explanations.
Answer: False
Magicians such as James Randi attribute their demonstrations of psychic-like abilities to physical and psychological explanations, explicitly rejecting paranormal interpretations.
A detailed study of Sylvia Browne's predictions found her to be mostly correct in over 85% of cases, as she claimed.
Answer: False
A detailed study of Sylvia Browne's predictions concluded that she 'had not even been mostly correct in a single case,' directly contradicting her claims of high accuracy.
James Underdown noted that testing television psychics is straightforward due to the controlled environment of a studio.
Answer: False
James Underdown noted that testing television psychics is challenging due to numerous uncontrolled variables and editorial control over broadcast footage, which can manipulate perceptions of accuracy.
The 'Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' aimed to determine if psychics could predict future events with greater accuracy than chance.
Answer: True
The 'Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' was specifically designed to ascertain whether self-proclaimed psychics could predict unlikely future events with accuracy exceeding mere chance.
The 'Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' found that psychics were correct in 35% of their predictions.
Answer: False
The 'Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' found that psychics were correct in only 11% of their predictions, not 35%.
One of the conclusions of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' was that psychics perform better than educated guesswork.
Answer: False
A key conclusion of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' was that psychics do *not* perform better than educated guesswork, chance, or luck.
Law enforcement agencies typically classify psychic fraud as a criminal offense, making prosecution straightforward.
Answer: False
Law enforcement agencies frequently classify psychic fraud as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense, making prosecution challenging.
Bob Nygaard is a private investigator who specializes in helping psychics avoid fraud accusations.
Answer: False
Bob Nygaard is a private investigator who specializes in assisting victims of psychic fraud, not in helping psychics avoid accusations.
Scammers often instruct clients to tell friends and family about their psychic readings to gain social validation.
Answer: False
Psychic scammers often instruct clients *not* to tell friends or family about their readings, as these individuals might warn them away from the fraud.
Victims of psychic fraud are often too embarrassed to report the scam, which helps psychics maintain their operations.
Answer: True
Victims of psychic fraud are frequently too embarrassed to report the scam, a factor that allows psychics to perpetuate their fraudulent operations.
Which of the following techniques is NOT mentioned as a method theatrical performers use to create the appearance of psychic abilities for entertainment?
Answer: Genuine telepathy
Theatrical performers employ techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot reading to simulate psychic abilities, not genuine telepathy.
What is the academic view on Nostradamus's prophecies?
Answer: They are often too vague and subject to misinterpretations, lacking genuine predictive power.
Academic scholars generally view Nostradamus's prophecies as overly vague and prone to misinterpretation, thus lacking genuine predictive power.
How do cold reading techniques work to create the illusion of psychic ability?
Answer: By making vague statements and subtly shifting predictions based on audience response.
Cold reading techniques involve making vague statements and subtly adjusting predictions based on audience reactions to create the illusion of psychic ability.
Which of the following magicians is mentioned as having demonstrated techniques similar to psychics, attributing their results to physical and psychological explanations?
Answer: James Randi
James Randi is mentioned as a magician who demonstrated psychic-like techniques, attributing his results to physical and psychological explanations rather than paranormal ones.
What did a detailed study conclude about Sylvia Browne's predictions concerning missing persons and murder cases?
Answer: She had not even been mostly correct in a single case.
A detailed study concluded that Sylvia Browne 'had not even been mostly correct in a single case' regarding her predictions for missing persons and murder cases.
According to James Underdown, what is a significant challenge when testing television psychics?
Answer: Numerous uncontrolled variables and editorial control over broadcast footage.
James Underdown highlighted that significant challenges in testing television psychics include numerous uncontrolled variables and the extensive editorial control over broadcast footage.
What was the primary goal of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project'?
Answer: To determine if psychics could predict unlikely future events with greater accuracy than chance.
The primary goal of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' was to ascertain whether psychics could predict unlikely future events with an accuracy exceeding mere chance.
What percentage of predictions were found to be correct by 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project'?
Answer: 11%
'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' found that psychics were correct in only 11% of their predictions.
Which of the following was NOT a conclusion drawn from 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project'?
Answer: Psychics perform significantly better than educated guesswork.
A key conclusion of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project' was that psychics do *not* perform better than educated guesswork, chance, or luck.
What is a common reason why it is difficult to prosecute cases of psychic fraud as a crime?
Answer: Law enforcement agencies often classify such incidents as civil matters.
It is often difficult to prosecute psychic fraud as a crime because law enforcement agencies frequently classify such incidents as civil matters, rather than criminal offenses.
According to Ben Radford, what psychological principle do scammers exploit to ensnare victims?
Answer: Their state of mind, belief in psychic abilities, and unhappiness with life circumstances.
Ben Radford states that scammers exploit victims' state of mind, belief in psychic abilities, and unhappiness with life circumstances to ensnare them.
A 2005 Gallup survey found that less than 20% of U.S. respondents believed in extrasensory perception.
Answer: False
A 2005 Gallup survey indicated that 41% of U.S. respondents believed in extrasensory perception, which is significantly more than 20%.
A 2006 poll of college students indicated that science students were more likely to believe in psychic phenomena than social science students.
Answer: False
A 2006 poll of college students suggested that science students exhibited lower belief in psychic phenomena compared to social science and education students.
Popular belief suggests that psychic abilities can be acquired through meditation or are hereditary.
Answer: True
Popular beliefs include the idea that psychic abilities can be acquired through practices like meditation or are inherited genetically.
In science fiction, psychic abilities are often depicted as 'psionics' and can be innate, drug-induced, or achieved through mental discipline.
Answer: True
Science fiction frequently portrays psychic abilities as 'psionics,' which can be innate, induced by psychoactive drugs, or developed through specific mental discipline.
According to a 2005 Gallup Organization survey, what percentage of U.S. respondents believed in extrasensory perception?
Answer: 41%
A 2005 Gallup Organization survey reported that 41% of U.S. respondents believed in extrasensory perception.
A 2006 poll of college students by Bryan Farha and Gary Steward suggested which group was more likely to believe in psychic phenomena?
Answer: College seniors and graduate students
A 2006 poll of college students indicated that college seniors and graduate students were more likely to believe in psychic phenomena than college freshmen.
What are two popular beliefs regarding the acquisition or inheritance of psychic abilities mentioned in the text?
Answer: They can be acquired through study and practice (like meditation) or are hereditary.
Popular beliefs suggest that psychic abilities can be acquired through study and practice, such as meditation and divination, or are inherited.
In science fiction, what term is frequently used to depict psychic abilities?
Answer: Psionics
In science fiction, the term 'psionics' is frequently employed to depict psychic abilities.