Is there any evidence mind-reading works?
By Matthew Davis
1 Mind-reading is taken seriously by scientists. Not the mystical, extra-sensory
perception (ESP) variety, but the study of the non-verbal signals that can say
more about us than we consciously reveal. Signs like pupil dilation, emotional
arousal and altered heart rate form the basis of lie-detector tests. Even unaided
by machines, the best police interrogators can reportedly [id:58923] someone who
is lying in 70% of cases. But how many people would put a gun to their head for
a 7-in-10 shot at survival, like Derren Brown did?
2 Brown, an illusionist who survived a
televised game of Russian Roulette,
does not claim extra-sensory powers,
but says he used a series of
psychological tests to determine where
the bullet was. He asked his volunteer
to count to six, using the sound of his
voice to help locate the live chamber.
In earlier shows, the illusionist correctly
"guessed" a credit card number and the
profession of someone just by looking
at their hands.
3 Experts say there is no way anyone could be so specific, or accurate. Professor
Chris French, of London's Goldsmith's college – a specialist in investigating
paranormal beliefs and "experiences" – says mind-reading is the stuff of fantasy.
"If Derren Brown really has successfully developed techniques to discern the
contents of people's minds in the way that he claims, he has single-handedly
achieved more than the collective attempts of psychologists over many
decades."
4 He says the stunt may have more in common with the "cold reading" techniques
typically associated with psychics and mediums. Here, subjects are convinced
that someone has told them so much detail about their life, that they could only
be reading their mind – or receiving messages from loved ones in the "afterlife".
But much of this rests on leading statements that sound specific, but are really
general such as, "You have a better than average sense of humour" or "I sense
lots of unused potential". "Sitters tend to [id:58926] , but come away feeling they
have been given real revelations," adds Prof French.
5 Still, there is significant research into mind-reading – especially the psychology
of lying – because of its great practical implications. Last year, Nasa bosses
issued an astonishing denial to reports suggesting they were introducing mindreading
machines to catch terrorists at airports. "Nasa does not have the
capability to read minds, nor are we suggesting that would be done," said Robert
Pearce, head of Nasa's Strategy and Analysis Division. But he added: "Our
scientists were asked to think outside the box with regards to ideas that could
aid the nation in the war on terrorism and that's what they are doing."
6 Most experts say it is beyond current scientific knowledge to consistently and
reliably recognise a lie, let alone read someone's innermost thoughts from
behavioural clues. One man who should know is Richard Wiseman, of the
University of Hertfordshire, Britain's first professor of the public understanding of
psychology.
7 Professor Wiseman started his working life as an award-winning professional
magician and was one of the youngest members of The Magic Circle. He said:
"Make no mistake, Derren Brown is a conjuror. He is using the idea of mindreading
to mask his trick. You don't want to run the risk of blowing your brains
out in your act – you need certainty. There is no certainty in mind-reading."
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk, 2003