Ray Hyman

Whether or not you believe in psychic abilities, there have probably been times when you have been impressed by the apparent mind—reading skill of a stage magician, a fortuneteller, or a psychic. How do these people do it? How do they know so much about a stranger? The author of the following article, Ray Hyman, says that many of them do it not with ESP but by using a technique called "cold reading."
The psychic or mind reader fools the audience by using common skills, including close observation, vagueness, and a projection of confidence. As you read the following article, you will see that you unconsciously use some cold—reading skills yourself.
Hyman is a long—time professor of psychology and an amateur magician. He is a well—known critic of paranormal claims...