Stage mentalists are people who perform mind-reading and other ESP-related tricks on stage before paying audiences. Such performers use a variety of methods to make it seem as though they have real mental powers. For example, they might use sleight of hand to substitute a stopped watch for a running one, after claiming that they can stop watches with a thought. They might also plant associates among the crowd waiting to fill the theatre in order to gain information that later will help them appear to read the minds of audience members.

Stage mentalists are also adept at using leading questions, astute observations, and other techniques to help them make educated guesses about people’s thoughts and life circumstances. Stage mentalists readily admit to using such techniques, but sceptics often accuse those who claim real psychic powers of using these methods to fool the public for financial or personal gain.

SEE ALSO:

• Extrasensory Perception
• Physical and Mental Mediums

SOURCE:

The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Paranormal Phenomena – written by Patricia D. Netzley © 2006 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning