Ideoplasty

Ideoplasty is a theory in mediumship that suggests the beliefs and expectations of the people participating in a sĂ©ance (called “sitters” or “experimenters”) can telepathically influence the medium. This influence leads the medium to produce phenomena—such as ectoplasm or materialized spirits—that align with what the sitters hope or expect to see. In other words, the medium unconsciously creates what the sitters want to believe, shaping the experience through their shared thoughts and expectations.

This concept is similar to the “experimenter effect” in scientific research, where the expectations of the person conducting an experiment can unintentionally influence the results. In the case of ideoplasty, the medium acts as a kind of “psychic mirror,” reflecting the desires and beliefs of the sitters.

Key Ideas About Ideoplasty:

  1. Dreams and Trance States: Ideoplasty also explains how the dreams or visions of a medium in a trance state can be shaped by the suggestions of the sitters. The medium’s subconscious mind takes these suggestions and turns them into vivid, seemingly real phenomena.
  2. Ectoplasm and Materialization: Some believe that ideoplasty is behind the creation of ectoplasm (a mysterious substance said to emanate from mediums) and the materialization of spirits. These phenomena are thought to be shaped by the collective expectations of the group.
  3. Rejection of Spiritualism: Prominent researchers like Gustave Geley and Baron Albert von Schrenck-Notzing supported ideoplasty but rejected spiritualism. They believed that the phenomena produced in sĂ©ances were not caused by spirits but were instead the result of the medium’s mind being influenced by the sitters’ thoughts. Geley called this process “modeling living matter by ideas.”
  4. Modern Interpretations: In 1967, Maxwell Cade, a writer on paranormal topics, updated the idea of ideoplasty. He described it as “the reflected thought image,” where the phenomena match the sitters’ expectations. Cade suggested that this process would require a high level of extrasensory perception (ESP). Similarly, Rupert Sheldrake’s theory of morphogenetic fields—which proposes that organisms can share experiences across time and space—can be linked to ideoplasty.
  5. Controlled Hallucinations: In the 1970s, Dr. Morton Schatzman, a London psychiatrist, demonstrated a fascinating example of ideoplasty in action. He taught a patient to control her hallucinations voluntarily. She could project lifelike, realistic images at will, which remained until she chose to dissolve them. These images were like lucid dreams but could not be seen by others—only the patient could interact with them.

In Summary:

Ideoplasty is the idea that the mind, especially in a mediumistic or trance state, can be influenced by the thoughts and expectations of others. This influence can create phenomena that seem real but are actually shaped by the collective beliefs of the participants. Whether in séances, hallucinations, or even scientific experiments, ideoplasty highlights the powerful connection between the mind and perceived reality.

SEE ALSO:

FURTHER READING:

  • Cassirer, Manfred. Medium on Trial: The Story of Helen Duncan and The Witchcraft Act. Standstead, England: PN Publishing, 1996.
  • Pilkington, Rosemarie. Men and Women of Parapsychology: Personal Reflections. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1987.

SOURCE:

The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits – Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – September 1, 2007

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