Ideomotor effect: Difference between revisions
Lindsay658 (talk | contribs) |
Lindsay658 (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
The '''ideomotor effect''' is a [[psychological]] phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions [[unconscious]]ly, especially while attributing the motion to a [[paranormal]] or [[supernatural]] force in which he/she believes. Unexplained phenomena such as [[applied kinesiology]], [[automatic writing]], [[dowsing]], [[facilitated communication]], and [[Ouija board]]s can be attributed to the ideomotor effect. The effect is extremely powerful and many subjects cannot be convinced that their actions are originating solely in their own minds. |
The '''ideomotor effect''' is a [[psychological]] phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions [[unconscious]]ly, especially while attributing the motion to a [[paranormal]] or [[supernatural]] force in which he/she believes. Unexplained phenomena such as [[applied kinesiology]], [[automatic writing]], [[dowsing]], [[facilitated communication]], and [[Ouija board]]s can be attributed to the ideomotor effect. The effect is extremely powerful and many subjects cannot be convinced that their actions are originating solely in their own minds. |
||
The term was first used |
The term was first used in , by [[William Carpenter]] [[1852]] his theory that [[muscular]] movement can be independent of [[conscious]] desires or emotions. |
||
Later [[Science|scientific]] tests planned and conducted by [[William James]], [[Michel Chevreul]], [[Ray Hyman]] and [[Michael Faraday]] have all shown that some phenomena attributed to paranormal forces are actually due to the ideomotor effect. |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 07:34, 29 June 2006
The ideomotor effect is a psychological phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions unconsciously, especially while attributing the motion to a paranormal or supernatural force in which he/she believes. Unexplained phenomena such as applied kinesiology, automatic writing, dowsing, facilitated communication, and Ouija boards can be attributed to the ideomotor effect. The effect is extremely powerful and many subjects cannot be convinced that their actions are originating solely in their own minds.
The term was first used in a paper discussing the means through which the Ouija board produced its results, by William Carpenter in 1852. In the paper, Carpenter explained his theory that muscular movement can be independent of conscious desires or emotions.
Later scientific tests planned and conducted by William James, Michel Chevreul, Ray Hyman and Michael Faraday have all shown that some phenomena attributed to paranormal forces are actually due to the ideomotor effect.
References
- Carpenter, W.B., "On the Influence of Suggestion in Modifying and directing Muscular Movement, independently of Volition", Royal Institution of Great Britain, (Proceedings), 1852, (12 March 1852), pp.147-153.
- Faraday, M., "Experimental Investigation of Table-Moving", Athenaeum, No.1340, (July 1853), pp.801-803.
- Faraday, M., "Table-Turning", The Times, No.21468, (30 June 1853), p.8.
- Carroll, R.T., "Ideomotor effect". The Skeptic's Dictionary. 2003. ISBN 0471272426
- Randi, J., "Ideomotor effect". An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural. 1995. ISBN 0312151195
 | This psychology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |